Calls for Holyrood to be suspended before EU referendum

Holyrood business should be suspended for the final week of the European Union referendum campaign, the Scottish Liberal Democrats have said.

Mike Rumbles says MSPs should be able to campaign. Picture: Kenny Smith

The party’s business manager Mike Rumbles will request the suspension at a meeting of the Scottish Parliament’s business bureau.

Mr Rumbles said the move would allow MSPs to campaign in the final days before the vote.

The UK Parliament is due to break up for recess a week before the referendum.

Mr Rumbles said:“We will choose either to remain in the EU and lead Europe or cut ties with our friends and neighbours and go it alone.

“It was right the Scottish Parliament did not sit in the weeks before the independence referendum...there is a strong case for the final week of the EU campaign to be about our place in Europe and nothing else.”

Mr Rumbles called on the SNP to work with other parties to agree the move, accusing the nationalists of “carping from the sidelines” in the debate over Brexit.

SNP MSP James Dornan said: “There may well be merit in these proposals, warranting further discussion by all parties at Holyrood and the SNP will engage with any discussions in good faith.”