Scottish MEP leaves post early to take up new role

A Labour politician who has campaigned to try to keep the UK in Europe’s Single Market is quitting her MEP post early.

Catherine Stihler, who has represented Scotland at the European Parliament since 1999, has said she will stand down at the end of January 2019.

All UK MEPs are to leave their posts by March 29 next year – the day the UK formally leaves the EU.

Ms Stihler is leaving eight weeks early to become the chief executive of global non-profit organisation Open Knowledge International.

She said: “It has been a privilege to represent the Labour Party and serve as an MEP for Scotland for nearly two decades.

“I was the youngest British MEP when first elected at 25 in 1999 and I witnessed the EU expand and reform to bring nations closer together in the interests of co-operation and peace.

“I have seen firsthand the positive and lasting impact that EU membership has had on our economy, workers’ rights, and consumer protection.”

Ms Stihler, together with former Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale and MP Ian Murray, set up the Scottish Labour for the Single Market campaign group, calling for the party to back the UK’s membership of the trading bloc post-Brexit.

She was praised by Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard as “someone of deep conviction and principle”.

Katherine Stihler.