Island powers should not be hostage to independence, says MSP

Following the launch of  the Scottish Governments prospectus, Empowering Scotland’s Island Communities, by First Minister Alex Salmond in Kirkwall yesterday, Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has expressed disappointment at the lack of powers to be returned to the isles.

He has also criticised the Scottish Government for not doing more for the isles with the powers already at its disposal, accusing the SNP of “holding issues hostage” in the run up to Septembers referendum.

Stating that the council leaders of Orkney Shetland and the Western Isles have made it clear that their case for change does not require a yes vote, Mr McArthur said: “Sadly, the First Minister and his SNP colleagues appear to have ignored this important point.”