Commenting on the responses to the Scottish Government’s alcohol consultation, Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson Ross Finnie MSP said:

“It is clear that many of those who responded to the SNP’s consultation, including Lothian and Borders Police, share the Liberal Democrat view that it is unfair to stigmatise all young people between 18 and 21 as irresponsible drinkers.

“Last week the Scottish Parliament decisively rejected the plan to raise the legal drinking age for buying alcohol in shops, on the same day that protesting students from across Scotland travelled to Edinburgh. Despite this, the Scottish Government refused to dump the idea. Now, in the face of very many responses expressing grave concern about the viability of raising the legal age for buying alcohol, the SNP remains determined to press ahead.

“This minority SNP Government has to realise that Liberal Democrats will only support a Bill to tackle alcohol abuse if it stops abusing the democratic will of the Parliament.”