Calls for a second independence referendum in Scotland are “perfectly reasonable”, Stephen Flynn has said as Holyrood now has its highest-ever number of MSPs who support independence.
Speaking on Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips on Sky News, he said the people of Scotland should have the “opportunity to decide their own future”.
He said: “I think it’s perfectly reasonable based upon the result of the election where, as you quite rightly highlighted, we now have more pro-independent MSPs coming into Holyrood than ever before.
However, it comes after First Minister John Swinney said an outright SNP majority would be the trigger for indyref2.
The SNP emerged as the largest party on Friday but failed to win a majority.
Flynn won a seat in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday, taking the constituency of Aberdeen Deeside and North Kincardine.
A Scottish Labour MP has urged Anas Sarwar to quit after a disastrous Holyrood election result.
Brian Leishman said Sarwar and his deputy Jackie Baillie should avoid “dilly-dallying” and resign immediately.
It comes as Sarwar said he will “absolutely” stay on in post.
Labour recorded their worst result in the history of devolution on Friday after a torrid campaign.
They slumped to 17 MSPs amid claims the unpopularity of Prime Minister Keir Starmer had hammered Labour on the doorsteps.
Leishman called on Starmer to go and said UK and Scottish Labour could have parallel leadership campaigns:
“I can’t see why not. The time is right for change. We can’t afford any dilly-dallying or delays.”
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A Scottish Greens MSP will have to secure a new visa to serve a full term at Holyrood. Co-leader Gillian Mackay confirmed Q Manivannan – one of two trans MSPs elected last week – will need to apply for a visa renewal.
Dr Manivannan is reported to have lived in Scotland since 2021, with speculation on social media that they are in the UK on a student visa.
Asked if Dr Manivannan is able to serve the full five-year term at Holyrood, Mackay said: “There will have to be a renewal of Q’s visa. That is a process they will have to complete over the session of Parliament.”
She said Holyrood had “specifically passed legislation to allow people like Q to be able to stand and be MSPs”.
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Pressed on the prospect of the new MSP being refused a renewed visa by the Home Office, Mackay said: “I don’t think it is likely that will happen.”
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