MICHAEL Russell has accused those challen-ging the wording of the question in a future independence referendum of attem-pting to “muddy the waters”.

Scotland’s Constitutional Affairs Secretary told MSPs yesterday there is no need for the question used in 2014 to be retested by the Electoral Commission.

Speaking at Holyrood’s Finance and Constitution Committee he said the question “should Scotland be an independent country?” with Yes or No as a response is the current question and therefore should not be tested as though it was asking voters a new one.

“I am in favour of testing and I think that is an entirely consistent and principled position,” Russell said.

“This question has been tested. I would apply that to any question in these circumstances – I am in favour of testing but I’m not in favour of confusing people.

“And if a question has been used again and again and again, and continues in use, then I think it would be a very serious step if you were trying to throw it out.”

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Russell added: “Far from being against testing, I am absolutely devoted to the principle of testing. What I am against, however, is retesting in circumstances where the question is current.

“If a question was not current – if the question had been asked and then forgotten about – then of course. But this question is current, it’s being asked again and again and again.”

He continued: “Far from saying that this would lack confidence, I think those who are challenging this question are, in some circumstances, attempting to muddy the waters because this question is clear, it has passed the test.”

Russell was speaking as the Scottish Government sets out its Referendums Bill, which aims to provide the legal framework for the holding of referendums. Last week, the watchdog told MSPs it should be allowed to test the question.

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The committee has also received submissions from pro-Union campaigners calling for a requirement for at least two-thirds of voters to support independence before a Yes victory can be declared. But the most recent guidance on referendums by the Venice Commission, an advisory body to the human rights body Council of Europe, opposes the use of such thresholds. It argues their use “risks a difficult political situation”.

It warns: “The political situation becomes extremely awkward, as the majority will feel that they have been deprived of victory without an adequate reason.”

The 1979 devolution referendum set a requirement that 40% of the electorate would have to back devolution. As it turned out 51.6% of voters voted Yes, but because turnout was 63.6%, it meant that only 32.8% of the electorate had voted for devolution. Devolution was therefore rejected in but the outcome was seen by many as unfair.