STEWART PATERSON

Political Correspondent

A BID to have a vote in parliament to stop plans for a second independence referendum has been launched.

LibDem leader Willie Rennie has written to SNP and Green politicians asking them to back his proposal.

The plan would see MSPs vote to halt any plan for a referendum during this parliament, which would be until May 2021.

Mr Rennie said the General Election result, in which the SNP lost 21 seats, was down to opposition to a referendum and the SNP needs to respond to it.

He said: “The SNP suffered big losses on Thursday and their plan for another independence referendum was the big reason for that result.

“To lose 21 MPs including the former First Minister and Deputy Leader as well as facing a 13 percentage point drop in the vote was an event that requires a significant response.

“To respond appropriately we need a vote in the Scottish Parliament to push any independence referendum far into the future.”

He said he has written to MSP and ex health secretary, Alex Neil, former Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill and Green leader, Patrick Harvie to secure their support for a vote.

Mr Rennie added: “With their support I am sure others in the parliament would come on board too.

“Scotland needs to come together and this is a big opportunity to do that.”

The LibDem bid comes as the SNP Brexit minister said Theresa May must draw up a new plan for leaving the EU.

Mike Russell said he is seeking an urgent meeting between the UK Government and the three devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to come up with a new plan.

He said: “It’s extremely important that the entire Brexit policy from Theresa May is scrapped and they start again.

“I have to say the first part of that is to persuade Theresa May that clinging to Downing Street is not a sensible idea.

“She has presided over chaos over the last year, the result of this election shows that people don’t trust her. I don’t think her position is tenable.

“It follows then that there needs to be a look at everything again and that includes the Brexit policy.”

Mr Russel said proposals for remaining in the single market after Brexit were a good starting point for fresh discussions.