Lib Dem quits as government aide ahead of fees vote

A Liberal Democrat aide to Britain's Scotland minister has quit his post in order to vote against a proposed hike in university tuition fees, his office said on Thursday. Skip related content

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The coalition government wants to raise the cap on tuition fees as part of its plan to reduce a record budget deficit, even though the Lib Dems pledged to abolish the fees in the run-up to the May election.

Parliament votes on the issue later on Thursday and, although some coalition MPs are expected to oppose the changes or abstain from the vote, Lib Dem ministers are backing the move and it is expected to be passed.
Lib Dem MP Mike Crockart was parliamentary private secretary (PPS) to Scotland minister Michael Moore. PPSs, who act as a contact for ministers in parliament, are expected to vote in line with government proposals
"That is correct," Crockart's office said, when asked if he had resigned his post.
(Reporting by Matt Falloon; editing by Keith Weir)