Rumbles in bid to lead Lib Dems

Mike Rumbles has already unsuccessfully tried to become leader

The Liberal Democrat MSP Mike Rumbles is to stand for the Scottish party's leadership, he told BBC Scotland.

His move came after Nicol Stephen quit the job, saying it was putting too much stress on his family life.

Mr Rumbles, MSP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, said he would re-visit Mr Stephen's opposition to a referendum on Scottish independence.

Scots Lib Dem deputy leader, MP Michael Moore, has taken charge while a leadership contest is staged.

Party bosses will meet shortly to confirm a timetable to choose his successor, who is likely to be in place in September.

Other possible contenders for the job include Shetland MSP and former transport minister Tavish Scott and Jeremy Purvis, MSP for Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale.

Mr Stephen's immediate resignation came less than a week after Scottish Labour leader Wendy Alexander quit, amid an ongoing row over donations to her leadership campaign.

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Mr Stephen announces his resignation

Mr Rumbles told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme he could offer a "different style" of leadership - and that the party had to take a harder line against the SNP than before.

The former army major, who said he was "heartened" by the encouragement he had received to stand, insisted that he wanted all party members to decide whether the Lib Dems should continue to oppose the Scottish Government's referendum plan.

Mr Rumbles, who failed in a bid to become leader three years ago when Mr Stephen stood as a candidate, said: "We went into the election just over a year ago, saying to the voters we weren't in favour of a referendum. I actually do feel that the leadership took that decision because we didn't have a policy on it."

MP Michael Moore has taken charge of the party

Borders MSP Mr Purvis also said he was considering the possibility of mounting a leadership challenge.

"I have been urged not only by local people down here in the Borders but by others as well and they have asked me to put my name forward," he said.

"I am considering that and I am going to be pondering that over the coming time.

"Whoever will be succeeding Nicol has got a very difficult job to do."

Mr Stephen said he would stay on as MSP for Aberdeen South, but added that his wife and four children, aged between four and 12, now had to take priority.

'Stresses and strains'

The Scottish Liberal Democrats were ousted from power by the SNP last May, after serving in coalition rule with Labour for eight years.

"Everyone involved in politics knows that there are stresses and strains on family life," Mr Stephen said in a statement.

"But when it goes beyond that, when it crosses a line, something has to be done."

Under party rules, the post of Scottish Lib Dem leader must be filled by an MSP nominated by at least one other.

If there is more than one nominee, the winner will be decided by a ballot of party members.