John Swinney has confirmed that the SNP’s strategy for independence is still based on winning a majority of seats at the forthcoming general election.

The new first minister has told BBC Scotland News that winning a majority would be a mandate for another referendum and he would “proceed with urgency” as Scotland could only “move on” if it became independent.

He has also denied that the decision to abolish the minister for independence post in his government has placed the campaign on the backburner.

He said he was going to concentrate on making sure his party built the support for independence by concentrating on issues such as the cost of living and Brexit.

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