Alex Cole-hamilton condemns Sturgeon’s ‘arrogant’ plan

The Liberal Democrats have told the SNP and Scottish Greens they "won't play their game" as the pro-independence parties seek to make the next election a de facto referendum on independence.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the leadership of the Greens have vowed to make the next Westminster general election a ballot solely on Scotland's place in the UK.

That came after the UK Supreme Court in London ruled the Scottish Parliament cannot stage a second independence referendum without Westminster's consent.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-hamilton has branded the move "unspeakably arrogant" as he insisted his party will never support using an election for the Scottish Parliament as a substitute for a referendum.

The stance was confirmed at a special meeting of Lib Dem members earlier this week.

Mr Cole-hamilton pledged his party will develop a manifesto covering issues which