Statement on Shadow Cabinet resignation

8.00.00pm GMT Wed 5th Mar 2008

Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, has issued the following statement following his resignation from his post as Countryside spokesman for the Liberal Democrats:

"I have made a commitment to my constituents in saying that I would vote for a referendum on the EU Treaty. The Liberal Democrat position is to abstain, which I understand and believe to be an honourable position - but I happen to disagree with this. This is why, with much regret, I am standing down from Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet"

"Although I do not on this issue agree with my party leader, I remain enthusiastically supportive of his Leadership and look forward to continuing to work with him to advance our party's cause, even if this is not to be from the front bench."