WORK WITH ALBA TO FORCE BOJO'S HAND

Ex-SNP minister Neil in plea over IndyRef2 poll

- PAUL HUTCHEON

OUTGOING SNP MSP Alex Neil has urged his party to work with Alex Salmond’s Alba Party to achieve a “supermajority” of MSPs in Holyrood in support of independence.

Neil, who served as a minister under Salmond, said yesterday that a supermajority is needed to “force Boris Johnson’s hand” on an independence vote.

The plea comes after the SNP unveiled its manifesto on Thursday, in which the party said a simple majority of independence supporting MSPs should be enough for another referendum to be held.

However, such a majority has existed in Holyrood since at least 2011, with the Greens helping the SNP over the line in the last parliamentary term.