FMQs LIVE: Sturgeon’s independence plot in chaos as minister claims vote not needed

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Ms Sturgeon will go head to head against Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar today at 12pm in Holyrood after a member of her party suggested they did not need a referendum to begin independence negotiations. Deputy First Minister John Swinney has claimed Ms Sturgeon would have a mandate to start independence talks with the Prime Minister if the SNP won a majority of Scotland’s Westminster seats without a referendum being held. This would mean Scots had effectively backed separation despite the SNP winning less than 50 percent of the popular vote. His comment contradicted Ms Sturgeon, who said: “Scotland can only become independent if a majority of people vote for that proposition.” Mr Swinney later performed an about-turn and insisted that 50 percent support would be required, claiming that he had misheard the question in the radio interview in which he specified a majority of seats.

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Former SNP MP jailed for two years for embezzling almost £25,000

Former SNP MP Natalie McGarry has been jailed for two years after being found guilty of embezzling almost £25,000 from two pro-independence groups. 

Ms McGarry, who represented the Glasgow East constituency between 2015 and 2017, was convicted on two charges. 

She was found to have embezzled £19,974 while she was treasurer of Women for Independence between April 26 2013 and November 30 2015.

A court also found she had embezzled a further £4,661 between April 9 2014 and August 10 2015. 

Good morning

Good morning from London. I’m Tara Fair, I’ll be bringing you all the latest developments on FMQs. Please feel free to get in touch with me as I work if you have a story or tips to share! Your thoughts are always welcome.

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