Wife-beating MSP Walker quits at last

Disgraced wife-beater Bill Walker last night stood down as an MSP.

The Dunfermline MSP finally quit in the face of mounting anger over his decision to carry on in Holyrood despite being found guilty of dozens of domestic abuse charges against his three ex-wives and a stepdaughter.

The 71-year-old had vowed to continue as an MSP but last night quit in the wake of moves to cut his salary by 90% if he was jailed when sentenced later this month.

Former Nationalist Walker blamed a “media onslaught” for forcing him out.

The resignation will spark what will be a hotly contested by-election in the West Fife seat, which has traditionally been a Labour stronghold but was taken by the SNP in 2011.

Walker’s decision to quit came only hours after Alex Salmond demanded Holyrood be given the power to forcibly remove MSPs.

The First Minister said he has written to Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg to ask that powers to disqualify or recall MSPs be transferred from Westminster.

Walker, who was found guilty of 23 charges but maintains his innocence, last night said: “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 an MSP, hence my decision to withdraw now.

“It has been a pleasure since May 2011 to serve the people of the Dunfermline constituency.”

But critics last night slammed Walker for continuing to blame others for his downfall.

Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie said: “Bill Walker should have understood immediately the gravity of his situation but it has taken 16 days for the penny to drop.

“It is sad that he continues to blame others instead of taking responsibility for his own actions.

“It would have been wrong for someone convicted of so many counts of domestic violence to return to Parliament. I’m pleased he’s gone.

“The uprising of revulsion from people and Parliament against domestic violence is one of the satisfying features of this sorry episode.”

Scottish Labour’s Claire Baker MSP, added: “I am pleased Bill Walker has finally done the right thing and resigned.

“The people of Dunfermline deserve better and each day he remained as their MSP was an affront to Parliament and democracy.”