MSP Walker quits over domestic abuse

Agencies/Edinburgh

MSP Bill Walker, who was convicted of 23 domestic abuse charges, has submitted his resignation to the Scottish Parliament.

The 71-year-old of Alloa, Clackmannanshire, was convicted last month of a string of domestic abuse offences against his ex-wives, but had refused to quit his seat despite pressure from campaigners and MSPs, many of whom signed a petition calling for him to go.

He said in a statement: “It has been increasingly difficult for my wife and my staff to deal with the media interest in my case. That same media onslaught has also made it impossible to properly represent my constituents and their interests.

“My trial process on domestic abuse charges still continues at Edinburgh Sheriff Court with the sentence not due to be announced until September 20 after the receipt of the reports ordered by the court.

“However, circumstances have made it very difficult to continue as MSP, hence my decision to withdraw now.”

The former SNP MSP for Dunfermline was ejected from the party when the allegations surfaced.

Walker was found guilty following a trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last month for attacks against his three ex-wives and a stepdaughter between 1967 and 1995. The maximum sentence he could receive is one year in prison.

Under the law, only politicians sentenced to more than a year in jail are disqualified, so he could not have been forced out of parliament.

In his resignation statement, he said it had been a “pleasure” to serve his constituents since May 2011. He added: “After September 20, there will be an opportunity for me to consider whether there are grounds for appeal and, under legal advice from my solicitor, I shall be making no further comment at this stage.”

His resignation means a by-election will be held in Dunfermline.