Convicted wife-beater Bill Walker has quit as the MSP for Dunfermline.
The announcement comes just nine days after the 71-year-old from Alloa told The Courier he had never had any plans to resign his seat.
In a written statement sent out via a press officer on Saturday evening, Walker said press pressure had forced him out.
He said: “It has been increasingly difficult for my wife and my staff to deal with the media interest in my case.That same media onslaught has also made it impossible to properly represent my constituents and their interests.
“My trial process on domestic abuse charges still continues at Edinburgh Sheriff Court with the sentence not due to be announced until September 20 after the receipt of the reports ordered by the court.
“However, circumstances have made it very difficult to continue as MSP, hence my decision to withdraw now.
“It has been a pleasure since May 2011 to serve the people of the Dunfermline constituency.
“As several other serving members of the parliament have bravely tried to point out, the court proceedings have not yet concluded.
“After September 20, there will be an opportunity for me to consider whether there are grounds for appeal and, under legal advice from my solicitor, I shall be making no further comment at this stage.”
Sheriff Katherine Mackie described Walker as “controlling, domineering, demeaning and belittling” when he was found guilty of a catalogue of domestic assaults against his three ex-wives and a step-daughter.
Because a summary case was brought against him, the heaviest punishment he can receive when he is sentenced next month is a year in jail.
Parliamentary rules mean that was not to force him out of his £58,000-a-year role. A move by Holyrood officials to suspend 90% of any jailed MSP’s wages during their time behind bars will be voted on this week.
When asked by The Courier late last month if he would stand down, Walker, who was elected as an SNP MSP in 2011 but now sits as an independent, replied: “I never had any plans to vacate my seat and that’s it. I will just leave it at that.”
For full coverage and reaction, see Monday’s Courier or try our digital edition.