Scottish Liberal Democrat energy spokesperson Liam McArthur has written to Scottish minister Fergus Ewing seeking urgent clarification from the Scottish Government about their plans for the UK electricity market.

Mr McArthur’s move follows a contribution in a Holyrood debate this afternoon from SNP MSP Chic Brodie who called for the establishment of a separate Scottish OFGEM after independence.

Mr McArthur said:

“This will ring big alarm bells in the energy industry.

“Up until now the SNP have said that they will seek to retain the single UK market for electricity, even if they won the vote in the referendum to separate Scotland from the rest of the United Kingdom.

“But today’s remarks from the SNP shows this policy unravelling.

“It would be absurd to have a single market but two different regulators.

“I gave energy minister Fergus Ewing the opportunity to clarify matters in the Chamber but he refused.

“The energy industry deserves to know what its future might hold.

“The First Minister has suggested that nothing would change in terms of the electricity market if he wins independence but today’s remarks throw doubt on that.

“The SNP must clear up this fresh confusion on the energy market.”