Robert Brown pays tribute to Nicol Stephen

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 3rd Jul 2008

Glasgow Liberal Democrat MSP Robert Brown has today reacted with sadness after the announcement that Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, Nicol Stephen MSP is to stand down.

Mr. Stephen stood down last night to spend more time with his family.

During his tenure as Leader of the Liberal Democrats in Scotland, Mr. Stephen served as Deputy First Minister on the Scottish Executive.

Mr. Brown served as Deputy Education Minister on the Scottish Executive alongside Mr. Stephen.

Mr. Brown said:

"I am very sad at Nicol Stephen's decision to stand down as Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats for family reasons.

"He has served with distinction and flair and has been in a very real sense the only effective Opposition leader in Holyrood.

"He is that unusual thing, a politician with both vision and a human side.

"It is not always recognised that political leadership brings with it substantial pressures on the family and personal lives of our leaders."

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