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Politics / Second resignation for councillor who opposed self-determination motion

A COUNCILLOR who opposed exploring options for achieving political and financial self-determination has now resigned from his role within the Shetland branch of the Liberal Democrats – saying that he is “not singing from the same hymn sheet” on the subject.

Stephen Leask’s resignation comes after he also stepped down from his role as vice-chair of Shetland Islands Council’s development committee less than a fortnight ago.

Councillor Stephen Leask.

Leask was one of two councillors who did not vote in favour of exploring ways of achieving more powers for Shetland at a vote in the council chamber last month.

He previously said his position as vice-chair on the development committee was “untenable” as his views on more autonomy were at “odds with the council’s political hierarchy”.

Speaking on Thursday, Leask – who was elected in 2017 as an independent councillor – said he felt he was “out of kilter” with the local Lib Dem leadership on the issue.

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He said had been on the executive committee of the Shetland branch for the last few years.

“I spoke to Beatrice [Wishart, MSP], and everything was quite amicable, and emails I got from Alistair Carmichael were very friendly,” Leask said.

“I just felt on this position I felt I was probably not singing from the same hymn sheet as it were, and felt that it was probably best that I would resign from my position on the executive committee.”

The Lerwick councillor also said he withdrew his subscription to the Liberal Democrat party – but he “still holds his libertarian views”.

Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael, who represents Orkney and Shetland, previously backed councillors’ moves to explore self-determination.

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