Commenting on reports that the Executive will publish a white paper in two weeks proposing a Scottish independence referendum, Nicol Stephen MSP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats in Scotland said:

“Everyone knows the work on this white paper is a waste of civil service time and the public’s money.

“There is nowhere near a majority for independence in the Scottish Parliament.

“Every minute spent on this document is a distraction from more important priorities such as health, education and crime.”