Rodger pays tribute to "dedicated and principled" Stephen

3.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 3rd Jul 2008

Amy Rodger has paid tribute to Nicol Stephen MSP who last night stood down as leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats in order to spend more time with his young family. Nicol Stephen has served as leader over 3 impressive years, in which he has served as Deputy First Minister and has been the most effective opponent to Alex Salmond and the SNP.

In a statement, Mr Stephen said, "My hunger for change in Scotland - tackling global warming, building the role of young people in our country and stopping the slide of civil liberties - is no less now than when I started in politics 25 years ago.

However that drive and that passion comes at a price. And it is a sacrifice that that my family should no longer have to make. Their happiness is more important than any political office and that is the reason for me standing down as leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats."

Ms Rodger, Westminster parliamentary candidate for East Lothian, commented "Nicol Stephen has served as leader of the Scottish party with distinction and leaves the party stronger having lead the Liberal Democrats in government for the first time since the 1920s.

As a Minister and Deputy First Minister, he played a pivotal role in showing what Liberal Democrats can deliver in Government. As a campaigner, he led the party to a stunning win in the Dunfermline and West Fife by-election, overturning a huge Labour majority.

After the elections in May 2007 Nicol took a principled stand in not joining the SNP in administration and instead committed himself to exposing the SNP as a party of hollow promises and empty gestures.

His determination to engage and involve young people, and to build up the Party's support from the grassroots, will be a valuable legacy for his successor, who will inherit a party stronger for having had Nicol Stephen as its leader."