BBC NEWS | Scotland | Tussle over independence

Frances Curran, of the SSP, said the nationalists would delay seeking independence if in power.

She said nationalists would seek to tie Scotland's future to the EU and await change from Westminster instead of believing in the "sovereignty of the Scottish people".

She said: "If the pro-independence parties win a majority in the parliament, we're in favour of a referendum in the first 12 months of the parliament.

"We also don't just want fiscal autonomy, nor do we want independence in Europe which is merely transferring rule by Westminster to Europe.

"We're obviously in favour of an independent socialist Scotland but all of this is regardless of whether the lord advocate or Westminster say it's legal."