THE Scottish Liberal Democrats have voted overwhelmingly against supporting independence after a debate on the issue at the party's autumn conference in Dunfermline.

Party members voted against a motion that stated that the party must explore “all options” to let Scotland retain the benefits of EU membership, including independence

Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie said the conference decision yesterday (Sat) restated the party’s support for maintaining Scotland’s place in the UK and in Europe.

He said: "Today we rejected any suggestion we should consider independence. Our party reiterated our desire for Scotland to maintain its membership of both the United Kingdom and the European Union.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats fought the elections in May with an explicit commitment to opposing a second referendum on independence, under any circumstances. I will be keeping my word with the voters as will every other MSP who stood on that platform. In all circumstances, I said no and I mean no. Meanwhile, we will continue to make the case for a progressive, optimistic, outward looking approach.

“If Nicola Sturgeon is truly serious about working to protect the interests of Scotland she must join our fight for a second vote on the outcome of talks on Brexit. Voting for a departure is different than voting for a destination.

"I would welcome her to that fight to keep the UK open and progressive.

“It is time the First Minister took independence off the table and stopped compounding the uncertainty caused by the Tories’ Brexit gamble with threats of another divisive referendum.”

Meanwhile, Rennie used his speech to conference to pledged that the Liberal Democrats will provide an alternative to the "repugnant views" of US President-elect Donald Trump and Brexiteers,

He said: "Too many are left behind. Too many people are forgotten.

"It is the responsibility of the progressives to show a different way. Hope, optimism and change."

The conference also backed the party's anti-fracking stance, with a call for "comprehensive regulation" of the controversial practice defeated at conference.

Activists supported a plea from Rennie, who said afterwards that the vote "confirms our commitment to a sustainable planet and we will be single-minded in our battle against climate change".