John Swinney issues correction over SNP mandate for independence

Scotland's deputy first minister backtracks after contradicting Nicola Sturgeon by saying majority of seats would be enough

John Swinney, Scotland's deputy first minister, has issued a correction after sowing confusion over the Scottish government's claims it could win a mandate for independence at the next general election.

Swinney told the BBC on Wednesday morning the Scottish National party needed only to win a majority of Scotland's Westminster seats at the next election to have a mandate to negotiate independence with the UK government.