Commenting after a session on independence at the party’s autumn conference, Liberal Democrat Shadow Scotland Secretary Alistair Carmichael said:

“The party overwhelmingly rejected Alex Salmond’s referendum Bill.

“There was genuine and widespread anger at the rigged question put forward by the SNP.

“The Liberal Democrats are a party that will remain at the heart of the debate on Scotland’s constitutional future. But on our terms.

“We are a party that believes in a federal United Kingdom.

“Ross Finnie will continue to lead work within the party as we prepare for the 2011 Scottish Parliamentary elections. “