SNP concede defeat in Edinburgh North & Leith as candidate is sent to campaign elsewhere

11.01.25pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 20th Apr 2007

The SNP have appeared to throw in the towel in Edinburgh North & Leith after their candidate admitted he was sent to campaign in Portobello, Restalrig and as far away as Musselburgh.

Just last week, the Herald newspaper confirmed that the SNP were not expected to do well here in Edinburgh North & Leith. Now the SNP candidate for this constituency admitted he was sent to campaign in other areas such as Portobello and Musselburgh, rather than spending the time in Edinburgh North & Leith.

Liberal Democrat challenger Mike Crockart said, "The fact the SNP candidate has been out helping in other constituencies shows he is not serious about winning. It shows once again that only the Liberal Democrats are seriously challenging Labour in Edinburgh North & Leith. Unlike the SNP, who are clearly more focused on other parts of Edinburgh, the Liberal Democrats are fighting Edinburgh North & Leith to win, with the final result looking too close to call. Unlike the SNP candidate, I am spending every possible minute campaigning in this constituency.

"Everyone knows that a vote for the SNP in Edinburgh North & Leith is a vote to help Labour win and take our area for granted for another four years. That is why more and more traditional SNP supporters are switching to back the Liberal Democrats in this constituency."