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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Lib Dems rule out SNP coalition | Lib Dems rule out SNP coalition |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The Liberal Democrats have turned down the prospect of a coalition with the Scottish National Party to form the next government of Scotland. | The Liberal Democrats have turned down the prospect of a coalition with the Scottish National Party to form the next government of Scotland. |
| Scottish Lib Dem leader Nicol Stephen said the fundamental stumbling block was the nationalists' demand for a referendum on independence. | Scottish Lib Dem leader Nicol Stephen said the fundamental stumbling block was the nationalists' demand for a referendum on independence. |
| Mr Stephen predicted there would now be an SNP minority government at Holyrood following Thursday's election. | Mr Stephen predicted there would now be an SNP minority government at Holyrood following Thursday's election. |
| Earlier, the Lib Dems ruled out a coalition deal with Labour. | Earlier, the Lib Dems ruled out a coalition deal with Labour. |
| 'Fundamental barrier' | 'Fundamental barrier' |
| The 47 seats won by the SNP made them the largest party in the 129-member Scottish Parliament, but this falls short of a majority, for which 65 seats are needed. | |
| Labour won 46 seats, the Conservatives 17, and the Lib Dems 16, with the Greens on two and one independent. | |
| More than 100,000 ballots were counted as spoiled in the election, and in one seat - Cunninghame North - former Labour minister Allan Wilson is considering a legal challenge after losing by 48 votes. A lawyer is also preparing to contest the outcome of the Glasgow region. | |
| Mr Stephen said he had held talks with the SNP leader Alex Salmond, but these had failed to resolve their differences over the referendum. | Mr Stephen said he had held talks with the SNP leader Alex Salmond, but these had failed to resolve their differences over the referendum. |
| In these circumstances it seems likely there will be a minority SNP government Nicol Stephen | In these circumstances it seems likely there will be a minority SNP government Nicol Stephen |
| "I made it clear to him that unless and until the SNP removes the fundamental barrier of a referendum on independence during the next four years, there can be no coalition," Mr Stephen added in a statement. | "I made it clear to him that unless and until the SNP removes the fundamental barrier of a referendum on independence during the next four years, there can be no coalition," Mr Stephen added in a statement. |
| "We consistently stated to people across Scotland at all times during the campaign that this was our position and it will not change. | "We consistently stated to people across Scotland at all times during the campaign that this was our position and it will not change. |
| "In these circumstances it seems likely there will be a minority SNP government. | "In these circumstances it seems likely there will be a minority SNP government. |
| "The Scottish Liberal Democrats will work constructively to promote our positive policies in the new Parliament." | "The Scottish Liberal Democrats will work constructively to promote our positive policies in the new Parliament." |
| The last eight years of the Scottish Parliament have seen Scotland run by a Labour-led coalition with the Liberal Democrats. | |
| Earlier, Tavish Scott, who ran the Lib Dems' election campaign, said his party would not share power with Labour. | Earlier, Tavish Scott, who ran the Lib Dems' election campaign, said his party would not share power with Labour. |