Commenting after the First Minister’s statement to the Scottish Parliament on the independence referendum, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie MSP said:

“We’ll see much pomp and ceremony at Edinburgh Castle this afternoon but still few answers about independence.

“It's more Shakespeare than Burns – ‘much ado about nothing’.

"Whilst independence dominates the work of his government, our country is gripped by unemployment and rising costs.

"I, as a Liberal Democrat, want Home Rule within the UK family, sharing the risks and rewards in a turbulent world.

“But the First Minister must be clear. Can he guarantee that if Devo Max got 99% of the vote, his Government would honour the democratic wishes of the Scottish people?

“This issue has not been addressed in his consultation document.”