Council leader's surprise call for a vote on independence

Published on Saturday 1 September 2007 13:15

THE Labour leader of Midlothian Council has called for an immediate referendum on independence.

Councillor Derek Milligan told a meeting of the full council that, although he did not support the idea, if there was to be a referendum he wanted it to be held as soon as possible.

He added yesterday that a national poll would "get that question out of the way so that we can get on with our job - delivering services to the people of Midlothian."

His comments come despite Labour's parliamentary party being against a referendum and after Councillor Peter Boyes, Midlothian's education leader, said last week that the Labour party should "call Alex Salmond's bluff".

Midlothian's SNP group leader Cllr Owen Thompson admitted he was shocked at the comments. "We thought when Peter Boyes said a similar thing it was just one member of the party but when the council leader says it in the chamber it must be the party view."