Referendum measure agreed by MSPs

Dec 5 2012

A legal measure needed to ensure that the Scottish Parliament can hold the independence referendum has been agreed by MSPs.

The vote at Holyrood clears the way for Westminster to follow suit and pave the way for a legally-binding ballot on Scotland's constitutional future in late 2014.

The technical measure, known as a section 30 order, was previously supported by a Holyrood committee before being brought to the full chamber.

It was made possible by the agreement in Edinburgh between Prime Minister David Cameron and First Minister Alex Salmond in October.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who concluded negotiations for the Scottish Government, said: "We look forward to bringing our arguments, and I encourage those who argue for business as usual to do likewise.

"Then we'll have a rigorous debate and the people of Scotland will take the decision."

A Referendum Bill is expected to be lodged in the new year along with a Bill needed to lower the voting age from 18 to 16.

The order was supported unanimously by SNP, Labour, Tory, Liberal Democrat, Green and Independent MSPs.