Reform MSPs stage Holyrood walkout over Scottish independence debate

Reform UK MSPs have staged a walkout from the Holyrood chamber after failing in their bid to have a debate on Scottish independence cancelled.

First Minister and SNP leader John Swinney had called the session on Scotland’s right to decide, but Malcolm Offord, the leader of Reform UK north of the border, maintained that constitutional issues are reserved matters and should not be discussed.

Following unsuccessful representations to Presiding Officer Kenneth Gibson, Lord Offord labelled the debate a "farce" and led his fellow MSPs in a walkout.

He said: “This debate is not just a farce, it is an insult to the Scottish electorate who expect their politicians to deal with serious issues in their communities.”

Lord Offord argued that Scots want to see MSPs dealing with “shocking” homelessness figures released earlier on Tuesday, the nation’s public finances or drug deaths – with a further rise in these expected to be announced on Wednesday.

“These are the serious matters of Government,” the Reform MSP said.

“In contrast this debate is ill-judged, self-serving and wholly inappropriate.

“Reform won’t engage further in these pointless proceedings. We didn’t come into the Parliament to waste our time on vanity projects, and therefore I withdraw my amendment and we will exit from the chamber.”

It came as MSPs debated a motion from Mr Swinney which declared: “Scotland is a nation that has a right to decide its own future.”

This is set to be passed at Holyrood later on Tuesday – despite Prime Minister Andy Burnham having again made clear another referendum is “off limits”.

The Prime Minister however had to pull back from comments he made in the Commons chamber, which appeared to suggest a second ballot on independence could be possible if Scots support one.

Mr Swinney however was adamant that Mr Burham’s opposition to another referendum “cannot hold”.

The SNP leader added: “My party believes it is for the people of Scotland to decide when there is an independence referendum.”

Saying that Scotland needs the “fresh start” of independence, he told MSPs the “fundamental right to decide our nation’s future remains”.

Referring back to the 2014 referendum – where 55% of voters backed staying in the UK – Mr Swinney said: “Just because a right has been exercised once does not mean it can never be exercised again.

“If the people of Scotland themselves want the opportunity to ask the question again, who has the right to stop them?

“Scotland is a nation and its people have the right to decide their future.

“The UK is a voluntary union, which means its nations can stay part of it or they can choose their independence.

“These two things were once accepted right across the political spectrum in Scotland.”