Bill Walker: 'I'm not giving up seat'
Gary Fitzpatrick • Published 9 Apr 2012 09:30
8 Comments
DUNFERMLINE MSP Bill Walker is resisting pressure to stand down from parliament after being expelled from the Scottish National Party.
The SNP's Disciplinary Committee took the decision on Saturday following media allegations about domestic abuse which he has described as "unproven".
Mr Walker told the Press today that there was no way he would be giving up the seat he won last year and he would continue as an 'Independent Nationalist'.
He is considering whether to appeal against the ruling from the party he had been a member of for 38 years.
Mr Walker issued a statement saying, "The Committee upheld the Complaint from the Party's National Secretary that I had withheld from the party information about unproven allegations concerning my former marriages when applying to become an approved Parliamentary Candidate for the 2011 Scottish Elections.
"I deny that such was the case and still maintain that I completed the relevant application form in a full and proper manner.
"At no time during the vetting, selection and confirmation processes was I ever asked about my declared previous divorce proceedings and related matters.
"Nevertheless, the Disciplinary Committee decided that I had breached the Party's Code of Conduct in not fully detailing all the unproven allegations against me from decades ago and so expelled me in accordance with the rules which it is entitled to do.
"I fully understand the need for the SNP to uphold its high expectations of its elected representatives but regret that it believes I should have highlighted allegations from many years ago.
The Party decision had nothing to do with the allegations themselves but concerned my claimed non-disclosure of these untested accusations in detail. I am currently considering my position regarding an appeal against the expulsion.
However, I can assure all my constituents that I shall be continuing as the elected MSP for Dunfermline, sitting in the Scottish Parliament as an Independent Nationalist.
"There is much to do, work I look forward to pursuing over the next four years. Constituents should continue to contact me and my hard-working staff who remain committed to assisting me in my Constituency Office.
In this recent difficult time I have been greatly heartened by the number of local people who have contacted me with their support which I greatly appreciate."
Dunfermline Labour MP Thomas Docherty said, "Bill Walker should go. He's not fit to be an MSP and is an embarrassment to the area. The SNP locally should disown him and stop members writing letters to the Press in his support." The Tory Party also called on Mr Walker to stand down.
This article appeared in Dunfermline Press 09 Apr 12
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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itsonlyagame
17 posts
Apr 11, 15:28
Report commentTo me this is nothing to do with which political party you support. Simply, anyone who commits an act of domestic abuse is not fit for any elected position. How is it possible to represent victims of abuse if the person doing the representing has supposedly committed such acts against women and a child. If this was known prior to being selected to stand for office, I for one would never have dreamed about placing an X beside his name. If Mr Walker has any amount of self respecting decency left he would stand down and let the good people of Dunfermline and West Fife decide if he is a fit and proper person to represent their views should he stand as an independent candidate.
Recommend?
Yes 33
No 12
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Leishman
15 posts
Apr 11, 22:40
Report commentDocherty saying saying someone is not a fit person to be an Mp/MSP is rich......he is the biggest embarrassment to Dunfermline and to the party I love.
Recommend? Yes 19
No 11
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B2theB
144 posts
Apr 12, 08:51
Report commentTypical arrogant politician.
Doesn't realise when he's not wanted.
His ego is more important than the wishes of his electorate
Recommend? Yes 27
No 7
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Geedoc
23 posts
Apr 12, 10:49
Report commentEgo ma bahoochie...he wants his snout in the trough for as long as he can
Recommend? Yes 21
No 10
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Splinters
1 post
Apr 12, 11:12
Report commentThe allegations are just that allegations. The best action would be to step down and focus on clearing his name then people would feel confident in their MSP. If these allegations are proven then his position is untenable.
I do find it amazing that someone can break the law such as the Falkirk MP and still remain in public office.
This MSP needs to clear his name or step down if he can't. I also think that all of the parties need to agree a code of conduct that forces MP / MSPs to step down if they have broken the law not just out of the party.
Recommend? Yes 21
No 3
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vinoboy35
70 posts
Apr 12, 23:34
Report commentAny sign of local SNP Councillors and those SNP candidates standing for election in Dunfermline saying anything .Seem to be awfy quiet .
Recommend? Yes 17
No 1
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benefithater
60 posts
Apr 13, 09:36
Report comment"Im the sacraficial lamb" and women are punch bags?
Recommend? Yes 15
No 3
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DrewCarnegie
65 posts
Apr 17, 18:34
Report commentBoxer Bill should do the right thing and give up his £60k a year job.
I wonder how much Labour has spent on a private detective digging up the dirt on Basher Bill though
Recommend? Yes 1
No 0
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