The Lib Dems confusion over a referendum on Scotland’s constitutional future continued today as their candidate in the Glasgow North East by-election denied the party was to review its position in a special conference this weekend.

On Newsnight Scotland last night candidate Eileen Baxendale denied that a review was taking place saying; "we’ve got a policy, we’re not looking at our policy…" and when asked about the conference stated: "I’m puzzled by what your saying. Our policy is clear… "

The Lib Dems have announced a review of their position on a referendum to be led by Ross Finnie with a special conference held this weekend to allow the party’s grassroots to express their views.

SNP MSP Alasdair Allan today called on the Lib Dems to clarify the purpose of this weekend’s conference.

Dr Allan said: "It seems the LibDems have no idea what they are doing. If their by-election candidate is totally unaware of this weekend's conference and the review then what is going on in their party?

"The LibDems must be clear – are they reviewing their position or are they not?

"Members are heading to Dunfermline this weekend to let the LibDem leadership know what they think about a referendum on Scotland’s future – but their by-election candidate says there will be no change and there is no review.

"We know a majority of Lib Dem voters support a referendum and many grass roots members are deeply uncomfortable with Tavish Scott’s oppositionist stance.  Even his own MEP opposes the Lib Dem’s refusal to accept the right of Scottish people to have their say over the country’s future."

Note:

Interview by Gary Robertson on Newsnight Scotland with Lib Dem Glasgow North East candidate Eileen Baxendale:

GR: We know there is to be a special conference this weekend to look at the referendum issue, what the Scottish Lib Dems policy is on that, what’s you stance?

EB: “we’ve got a policy, we’re not looking at our policy…

GR: You are, you’re reviewing your policy this weekend.

EB: “we’re not…

GR: Respective candidates stood up at the conference and said it was time to bring this referendum on. Do you stand for that?

EB: “I’m puzzled by what your saying. Our policy is clear…

GR: Then why is Tavish Scott reviewing it if is clear?

EB: “he’s not really, let me finish what I saying. Two and a half years ago Aelx Salmond had his chance. He lost the popular vote, he didn’t get a majority to have a referendum. Ehhhh we have better things to do at the moment in government than worry about the referendum.

GR: What about your colleagues that got up at the recent LibDem conference and said that it should happen? George Lyon, Kevin Lang they were wrong?

EB: “The thing about the LibDems is that we’re allowed to have opinions and are allowed to discuss and debate things. What we are doing on Saturday at the conference is going over the issues…people say to me ‘marshalling our arguments’ about the referendum, about independence, cos we need to do that…but we’re not…our policy is there…we’re not in favour of a referendum, we don’t want to spend public money on that just now, we want whoever has the powers at Holyrood should focus on the economy…