Liberal Democrat leader slams ‘unpleasant underbelly’ in Yes campaign

Supporters of an independent Scotland have been criticised for their behaviour at a public meeting in Dunfermline attended by more than 200 people.

Willie Rennie MSP and councillor Dave Dempsey were repeatedly shouted down whenever they spoke up for the United Kingdom in Abbeyview Community Centre this week.

The meeting, which was aimed at undecided voters, was packed out by members of the SNP, socialists and other supporters of independence.

Willie Rennie said: “I am not a shrinking violet but being shouted at for 90 minutes was not my idea of democracy. I like a good, feisty debate but debate usually involves both sides of an argument being heard.

“Whenever Dave and I spoke up for the United Kingdom we were faced with a wall of noise.

“There is a very unpleasant underbelly to the independence campaign. It may not be directed from Yes HQ but it has been unleashed by the referendum campaign.

“I was heartened that a few independence supporters apologised to us after the debate for the behaviour of others. More applauded during the meeting when there were pleas for calm but it was a shameful display by so many others.”