SCOT LIBDEMS BREAK RANKS ON REFERENDUM AT UK CONFERENCE

SCOT LIBDEMS BREAK RANKS ON REFERENDUM AT UK CONFERENCE

CARMICHAEL ATTACKS BROWN'S CALMAN STANCE AS "SUSPICIOUS"

Commenting on reports that at least two LibDem politicians have called for an independence referendum at their party's UK conference, SNP MSP Dr Alasdair Allan said the comments call into question Tavish Scott’s ability to lead his party and showed confusion within the party on the right of the Scottish people to decide their constitutional future.

It has been reported that a Scottish LibDem Westminster candidate, Kevin Lang, has voiced his support for an independence referendum and that Scottish LibDem MSP George Lyon said the party should have the confidence to support a referendum. And in an interview on the Scottish Politics Show their Scotland Office spokesperson, Alistair Carmichael, attacked Gordon Brown’s position on Calman as suspicious.

Commenting Dr Allan said:

"These comments are a very welcome development, and an embarrassment to Tavish Scott. The people of Scotland deserve the right to decide the constitutional future of the nation and clearly that opinion is widely held throughout the LibDems. We already know that a majority of LibDem voters support a referendum.

"Under Tavish Scott's leadership the LibDems are all over the place on the issue. Earlier this year we had John Farquhar Munro supporting a similar call by Paddy Ashdown for a referendum.

"Meanwhile, the Calman parties are publicly falling out with each other - with Alistair Carmichael MP attacking Labour inaction over the Calman recommendations, and branding the stance of Gordon Brown 'suspicious'. (BBC Politics Show, today).

"Tavish Scott now has to decide where he wants to take his party. His inability to lead his party on this issue is showing. It’s becoming obvious that standing in the way of the right of the people of Scotland to decide their constitutional future is unpopular.

"The SNP Government will bring forward a Bill in 2010 for a referendum, and challenge the London parties not to stand in the way of the people's right to choose Scotland's future."