Scottish independence is within reach as Westminster 'unravelling', Swinney says

John Swinney said Scottish independence is 'within reach' after a More in Common poll projected the SNP on 64 seats, and he linked growing momentum to a series of Westminster scandals.

John Swinney said Scottish independence is "within reach" following a More in Common poll that projects the Scottish National Party on 64 seats in the May Holyrood election. He characterised recent events at Westminster as a "stream of chaos and scandal" and said the status quo was "rapidly unravelling." The First Minister has set an SNP majority as the condition for seeking a fresh independence referendum. Separately, Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC was accused by opposition MSPs after updating the First Minister on embezzlement charges against former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell weeks before those charges were made public. Key details: - A More in Common survey this week forecast the SNP securing 64 seats in the upcoming Holyrood election. - John Swinney said independence is "within reach" and linked momentum to a series of Westminster scandals, including recent controversy involving Lord Peter Mandelson. - The First Minister has stated that an SNP majority of seats would be the trigger for another independence vote. - The UK government has rejected discussions about granting a new referendum. - Opposition MSPs accused Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC of "corruption" after she informed the First Minister about charges relating to Peter Murrell before they were public. Summary: Swinney framed polling and recent Westminster controversies as strengthening support for independence and said an SNP majority would justify seeking a fresh referendum. The UK government has so far rejected talks about holding a new vote. The next major political milestone is the May Holyrood election.