Following the issuing of a joint statement by opposition party leaders in response to the publication tomorrow of the SNP’s White Paper on independence, Nicol Stephen MSP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats in Scotland said:

“Today’s joint statement is a positive development. There is a strong case for extra powers for the Parliament and there is a need to build a consensus on the details.

“The Joint Statement is a welcome indication that both Labour and the Conservatives now accept the need to develop the role of the Scottish Parliament.

“If the SNP were serious about working towards an agreed outcome they would abandon their White Paper on independence and work with other parties to re-establish the Constitutional Convention.

“The Liberal Democrats have moved the debate forward, last year we published the Steel Report, which sets out a strong framework for progress. Most people believe that the priority now is to make the Parliament as effective as possible, an end to which all parties can and should commit themselves.”