Alex Salmond has claimed that only SNP MPs can comment on the upcoming referedum on independence as the Scottish Affairs Select Committee looks into the potential consequences of separation.

Jo Swinson MPThe First Minitser is quoted in Holyrood Magazine saying, "there is no one on the Scottish Affairs Select Committee, apart from Eilidh Whiteford [SNP MP for Banff and Buchan] that has a mandate to say anything about a referendum."

Commenting, Deputy leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats Jo Swinson MP said:

“It is quite extraordinary to claim that only SNP MPs can comment on the independence referendum. Does Mr Salmond really believe that only people who voted for the SNP care about the future direction of Scotland?

“Scotland does not belong to the First Minister, Scotland belongs to all of us. Whether an MP, MSP, nationalist or not, we all have an interest in protecting Scottish interests.

"It is right that Scottish MPs are examining the pitfalls of separatism in the absence of any real answers from the SNP, and we will continue to do so.”