SNP MSP Keith Brown today welcomed comments from Stephen Purcell, the Labour leader of Glasgow City Council who has said that the debate on independence is a legitimate part of discussing Scotland's constitutional future.  He also welcomed Mr Purcell's comment that "The people who will take the final view are the people of Scotland."

Cllr Purcell's comments reported in today's Sunday Herald come as the Public and Commercial Services Union call on STUC Congress and all parties to debate the Independence option.
 

Speaking from the SNP's Spring Conference in Edinburgh Mr Brown said: "These comments from Stephen Purcell show that not everyone in the Labour party is as scared of Independence or the Scottish people as Wendy Alexander.

"Purcell's support for the Scottish people to take the decision on Scotland's future is welcome and will further isolate Wendy Alexander and the Labour leadership who continue to oppose the right of the people to decide their future in a democratic referendum.

"Coming alongside the call by the PCSU for the STUC to hold a full debate on Independence this shows the Scottish Government's National Conversation is engaging with people from all walks of life all over Scotland."