Reform MSPs storm out of Scottish independence debate

The Scottish First Minister, John Swinney, tabled a non-binding motion asserting Scotland's right to decide its constitutional future, which passed with support from Labour and the Greens. This move was seen as an insult by Reform MSPs, who had tried to have the debate cancelled because it related to non-devolved matters.

Reform leader Malcolm Offord described the debate as 'an insult and a waste of time' and led his party's MSPs out of the chamber in protest. The Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer quipped that he hoped a nearby pub had extra staff on this afternoon, adding: 'They may be busy. '

The motion was passed by 84 votes to 18, with support from Green and Labour MSPs and opposition from the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. The Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said the SNP should accept the result of the 2014 referendum.

'The SNP say that Scotland should decide,' he said. 'We did decide, more than two million Scots said no, and thank goodness for that. '

Labour does not normally vote with the SNP on independence-related matters, but they sided with the SNP and the Greens on the principle that any decision on independence or continued union is for the Scottish public to make.