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| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Lib Dem MSP calls for referendum | Lib Dem MSP calls for referendum |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A Liberal Democrat MSP has broken ranks with his party leader to call for an independence referendum. | A Liberal Democrat MSP has broken ranks with his party leader to call for an independence referendum. |
| In a BBC interview, Highlands MSP John Farquhar Munro said the sooner a vote was held the better. | In a BBC interview, Highlands MSP John Farquhar Munro said the sooner a vote was held the better. |
| Mr Munro said the debate on Scotland's future had gone far enough and the question now had to be settled. | Mr Munro said the debate on Scotland's future had gone far enough and the question now had to be settled. |
| He said he favoured a straight yes/no choice on independence rather than multiple options, which he claimed would "muddy the waters". | He said he favoured a straight yes/no choice on independence rather than multiple options, which he claimed would "muddy the waters". |
| Mr Munro told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme: "I think that it's been debated for long enough. I think the sooner it happens, the better John Farquhar Munro | Mr Munro told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme: "I think that it's been debated for long enough. I think the sooner it happens, the better John Farquhar Munro |
| "For many years we've been hearing about the possibility of independence for Scotland through a referendum - through the result of a referendum. | "For many years we've been hearing about the possibility of independence for Scotland through a referendum - through the result of a referendum. |
| "I think the sooner it happens, the better, so we establish a position - clear the air as it were - and we find out whether we are going to go ahead with an independent Scotland or whether the status quo will remain." | "I think the sooner it happens, the better, so we establish a position - clear the air as it were - and we find out whether we are going to go ahead with an independent Scotland or whether the status quo will remain." |
| His party leader Tavish Scott has already ruled out supporting a referendum during the economic crisis. | His party leader Tavish Scott has already ruled out supporting a referendum during the economic crisis. |
| But Mr Munro said he believed the wider party would back a public vote. | But Mr Munro said he believed the wider party would back a public vote. |
| The SNP needs the Liberal Democrats on side to push a referendum bill through parliament. | The SNP needs the Liberal Democrats on side to push a referendum bill through parliament. |
| 'Vast majority' | 'Vast majority' |
| A statement released on Mr Scott's behalf said: "It is astonishing that at a time of economic crisis, the SNP is wasting time trying to conjure up fictional support for a referendum, rather than getting on with sorting out our economy. | A statement released on Mr Scott's behalf said: "It is astonishing that at a time of economic crisis, the SNP is wasting time trying to conjure up fictional support for a referendum, rather than getting on with sorting out our economy. |
| "Tavish Scott has made it perfectly clear that he does not support a referendum on independence, or a referendum that would let independence in by the back door. | "Tavish Scott has made it perfectly clear that he does not support a referendum on independence, or a referendum that would let independence in by the back door. |
| "How many more jobs need to be lost before they realise this?" | "How many more jobs need to be lost before they realise this?" |
| First Minister Alex Salmond said Mr Scott should heed Mr Farquhar Munro's comments. | First Minister Alex Salmond said Mr Scott should heed Mr Farquhar Munro's comments. |
| He said: "The Lib Dems change their stance on a regular basis, and they never all stick to the same policy. | He said: "The Lib Dems change their stance on a regular basis, and they never all stick to the same policy. |
| "However, given that the vast majority of Lib Dem voters back a referendum - as do the Scottish people as a whole - Tavish Scott should follow John Farquhar's lead and support the right of the people to choose Scotland's future." | "However, given that the vast majority of Lib Dem voters back a referendum - as do the Scottish people as a whole - Tavish Scott should follow John Farquhar's lead and support the right of the people to choose Scotland's future." |
| Scottish Conservative leader Annabel Goldie MSP accused the Liberal Democrats of having "turned flip-flopping into an art form". |