Indy vote push trumps debate on free speech

A HOLYROOD committee is to spend valuable parliamentary time looking at ways to get another independence referendum after being hijacked by the SNP and the Greens.

- By Ben Borland

The Scottish Parliament's Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee is to conduct an investigation into the options for a legal mechanism for triggering another vote.

A motion demanding the inquiry was voted through thanks to the support of the three SNP members of the seven-person committee plus Patrick Harvie, the former Greens leader.

Raging Stephen Kerr, one of two Tory committee members, said the two parties had "made an utter mockery of the Scottish Parliament." He said they had "decided to hijack a committee on their favourite subject" at a time when freedom of expression appeared "under threat".