Nicol Stephen resigns as leader of Scots Lib Dems

The BBC website reports:

Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader Nicol Stephen has resigned from his role to spend more time with his family.

The former Scottish deputy first minister said the stresses and strains the job placed on his family life had become too great.

However, he will remain as the MSP for Aberdeen South.

Fraser Macpherson has the text of Nicol's statement to party members in Scotland.