NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE Willie Rennie (you may not be aware who he is because even voters in Scotland gave him such a small poll rating recently it was almost invisible) promised when elected leader of Scotland?s Liberal Democratic Party (Lib Dems) after its crushing defeat in the 2011 Holyrood elections to: ?rediscover the party's 'soul' and rebuild trust with voters? However, the only thing that Willie needs to ?rediscover? at the moment is a backbone. Following the admission by former Scotland Secretary Alistair Carmichael of his underhand and devious direct involvement in the attempt to smear Scotland?s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon there have been calls from all sides for the disreputable rogue and liar to stand down from the seat he narrowly won in the Westminster Election for Orkney and Shetland. It is odds on that without his underhand behaviour in brazenly lying about the SNP Leader that Carmichaels ability to hold the seat would have been seriously damaged. Let us be clear that he has his position in the Westminster Parliament by ?gerrymandering? public opinion to enhance his position. Since his apology everyone has been waiting for some ?squeak or sign? from the Liberal Democrats in Scotland . It has been a bit like waiting for smoke to come from a ?College of Cardinals?. Would it be white smoke in which case he would be asked to stay or black in which case he would go? Now you would have thought it would be odds on that with Willie Rennie at the helm Alistair Carmichael may have been asked to ?fall on his sword?. After all Willie is a man who has a track record in calling for people to resign. He has called for political resignations from amongst others former First Minister, Alex Salmond, and SNP Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill. Those outside politics like the head of Police Scotland, Stephen House, haven?t faired any better, 'he should resign' said Willie. He even asked for the head of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, Martin Sime, to resign. At one time Rennie couldn?t open his mouth without asking someone to resign. Willie?s Party the Lib Dems even joined with other opposition Parties in the Scottish Parliament to hound SNP Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson out of Office after there had been extreme weather and heavy snowfall. It?s ?a big ask? expecting a politician to control the weather ? but it didn?t matter he had to go. It wasn?t as if he had done something really serious like Carmichael?s lies and smear! With a Personal and Party track record like this everyone thought it?s sure to be ?curtains? for ?Carmichael the Liar? when Willie Rennie and the Party ?get into gear?. But no! When the smoke came it was white! Rennie issued the following pathetic statement on behalf of the Lib Dems in Scotland: ?I have discussed the serious nature of the publication of the Scotland Office document with Alistair Carmichael. He fully understands the impact it has had on his reputation. He deeply regrets his actions, has accepted responsibility for his error of judgment, apologised to Nicola Sturgeon and the French Ambassador and declined his ministerial severance payment. I have known Alistair for almost thirty years and have worked closely with him in parliament for almost a decade. I have always been impressed by his energy, dedication and professionalism. He has served Orkney and Shetland for fourteen years and has been elected on four separate occasions. It is clear to me that recent events are an aberration. As a liberal I believe that people deserve a second chance. I hope fair minded people would agree that Alistair Carmichael should be given that second chance. Yesterday, the Scottish Liberal Democrat Party Executive met and gave Alistair Carmichael its support. He has my support too. Alistair will now get back to his job representing Orkney and Shetland.? Well let us hope the people of Orkney and Shetland have more spine than Willie Rennie. Meanwhile Rennie?s statement of support could be the final suicide note of the Lib Dems in Scotland. J B Moffatt (Mr) Director of Information Celtic League 24/05/15 (Please note that replies to correspondence received by the League and posted on CL News are usually scanned hard copies. Obviously every effort is made to ensure the scanning process is accurate but sometimes errors do occur.) ISSUED BY THE CELTIC LEAGUE INFORMATION SERVICE. The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on socio-economic issues Download our News App for Android here. Internet site at: (voir le site) (voir le site) Share this!