Scottish parliament votes narrowly in favour of ban on fracking

Vote does not create binding policy but is significant defeat for SNP so soon into new parliamentary term

The Scottish parliament has voted narrowly in favour of a ban on fracking, after Scottish National party MSPs abstained following a debate that gave a strong indication of the changed nature of the new Holyrood chamber.

Scottish Labour had tabled an amendment in support of a full ban as part of an environment debate headed by the new cabinet secretary, Roseanna Cunningham.