Swinney ‘leading Scots up the garden path’ on independence vote, says ex-SNP MP

Former MP Angus MacNeil has accused John Swinney of “leading people up the garden path” with claims that a majority for the SNP will lead to a second vote on independence.

Mr MacNeil, who was an SNP MP for 19 years, hit out at the party’s current leadership as it was announced he will stand for the rival pro-independence Alba Party at May’s Holyrood election.

The former MP will be Alba’s lead candidate on the regional list for the Highlands and Islands area.

He said a vote for Alba would mean independence supporters “do not waste their list votes”.

He said May’s election will be “about independence” for Alba – which was set up by former SNP leader Alex Salmond after he quit the SNP, and led by him until his death in 2024.

Mr MacNeil said: “While I still, of course, have many friends in the SNP, I find it deeply unfortunate that the SNP leadership is currently leading people up the garden path on independence by insisting people believe the UK Prime Minister will grant a referendum on independence, when they have clearly said they will not.”

However he claimed votes for Alba, which currently has no MSPs, could “potentially halve what Reform and others receive”.

He added: “This means that when Westminster refuses a referendum, we can call a special election at Holyrood on the matter of independence.

“So voting Alba causes consequences for Westminster when they refuse a referendum.

“I hope that the Highlands and Islands will have more than one Alba MSP working in Holyrood with other pro-independence parties such as the SNP, helping to provide a route to a democratic vote on Scotland’s independence.”