ALISTAIR Carmichael has admitted he leaked a memo falsely claiming Nicola Sturgeon said she wanted the Tories to win the general Election.

An investigation into the affair said the former Scottish Secretary accepted responsibility.

Mr Carmichael admitted had he still been Scottish secretary it would have required his resignation.

The investigation concluded he "could have and should have" stopped the memo being shared by his special advisor, Euan Roddin.

Mr Carmichael has apologised to Ms Sturgeon and to the French Ambassador, who it was alleged she had told she would prefer David Cameron to be Prime Minister.

Mr Carmichael said although he had not seen the document, he was "aware of its content and agreed that my special adviser should make it public".

He said: "I should not have agreed this. It was an error of judgment which I regret.

"I accept full responsibility for the publication of the document.

"I have written today to the First Minister and to the French Ambassador to apologise to them both."

He added: "Had I still been a government minister, I would have considered this to be a matter that required my resignation. I have therefore informed the Cabinet Secretary that I will decline my ministerial severance payment."

Mr Carmichael was entitled to three months ministerial salary on leaving office worth just under £20,000.

Ms Sturgeon when the memo was leaked said the claims were "100% untrue"

In his letter to Ms Sturgeon, Mr Carmichael said: "I accept that its publication was a serious breach of protocol and that the details of that account are not correct."

"I am clear that this was an error of judgement on my part and wish to offer you my sincere apologies for the embarrassment caused to you and the French ambassador."