Cable gives backing to Change UK defector

The former leading Scottish candidate for Change UK in the European elections has been backed by Sir Vince Cable, despite his claim that householders should be allowed to “kill” intruders who enter their property.

The Liberal Democrat leader said he welcomed the defection of East Renfrewshire councillor David Macdonald from the new Change UK party, and declared him a “sensible guy”. And Mr Macdonald said that he “absolutely” stood by his remarks, and that “96 per cent of S cots probably agree with me”.

The Scots man had revealed that Mr Macdonald had written a lengthy Facebook post saying he would do whatever was required to “neutralise the situation” if his home was broken into. He added that it was “pathetic” that the legal system would “not back you up if you kill someone in the act of defending yourself within your property”.

Yesterday Sir Vince said: “I welcome David’s endorsement and his realism about Change UK’S prospects.”

Asked about the controversial remarks, he said: “I don’t know the detail. I don’t know what happened, I’ve had a long talk with him and he seems a sensible guy, fully aligned with our values.”

Commenting on his defection, Mr Macdonald said: “I’m very proud of my time working with Change UK, but it became blindingly obvious that we were so close on message that we were fundamentally shooting our closest competitor in the foot in Scotland.”

On his Facebook comments from last year, he said: “I absolutely stand by my views and around 96 per cent of S cots probably agree with me.”