Biography

Born: Birkenhead, 1944.

Education

• Wrekin College, St Andrews University: Honours in Economics and Political Science
• Strathclyde University: MSc Marketing
• CPE and Inns of Court School of Law.

Offices Held

• President of the Scottish Liberal Democrats
• Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary on Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Career

• Journalist; Liverpool Post (66-67)
• Buyer for Boots the Chemists (68-69)
• Research and Information Officer, North East Scotland Development Authority (71-75)
• Director, Noroil Publishing House (75-81)
• Co-founder and Editor of Aberdeen Petroleum Publishing (81-84)
• Called to the Bar (Gray's Inn) 1995.

Political Career

• Elected as MP for Gordon (83)

Spokesperson on:

• Scottish Affairs (83-85)
• Energy (85-87)
• Trade and Industry (87-88)
• Natural Resources (88-90)
• Treasury (94-99)
• Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats (88-92)
• Candidate in leadership election (99)
• Chair, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Party (99-01)
• Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary on Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (01-02)
• Liberal Democrat Shadow Trade Secretary (03-)

Parliamentary Majority: 7879

Select Committee Membership:

• Scottish Affairs (83-87)
• Trade and Industry (88-94)
• Treasury (94-99)

All Party Groups:

• Sustainable Waste Group (Treasurer)
• Warm Homes Group
• Renewable and Sustainable Energy Group
• Globe UK

Organisation Membership:

• Member, UK Delegation, Council of Europe (00-)
• NUJ; Vice President
• National Deaf Children's Society
• Steering Committee Member
• East-West Parliamentary Practice Project
• Rector, Dundee University (86-89)

Leisure Interests:

• Music
• Theatre
• Walking
• Golf

Family

Married Jane nee Wilson, one son, one daughter. Divorced 1992. Married Rosemary nee Vetterlein (m. 1998), one son, one daughter.