Newly-elected Lib Dem leader Tavish Scott today played down talk of his party supporting a multi-option referendum on Scottish independence.

Newly-elected Lib Dem leader Tavish Scott today played down talk of his party supporting a multi-option referendum on Scottish independence.

He said the Liberal Democrats would do nothing which might bring about independence "by the back door", and said no decision would be taken until well into the future.

Speculation that Mr Scott could soften the Lib Dems' stance against a referendum came yesterday after he won the Scottish party's leadership race with 59% of the vote.

He said then: "We will see what legislation the SNP comes forward with", adding that he was not against the idea of people having the chance "to cast a view on these things".

This was seized on by the SNP as a shift in position but Mr Scott gave no sign today of softening the Lib Dem stance.

His first day at the helm of the party began with a visit to Glenrothes, where his party has already chosen its candidate for the by-election created by the death of Labour MP John MacDougall In a BBC Radio Scotland interview, Mr Scott said he favoured neither independence nor the present set-up.

"I want a stronger Scotland, a stronger Scottish Parliament within the UK," he said.

And he wanted to ensure that when the Calman Commission on Scottish devolution completed its work, and when the Lib Dems completed their own internal study of devolution, the outcome would be "a strong blueprint for a stronger Parliament".

"Quite how that will then be judged will be up to the people of Scotland - but I do think it's important to concentrate on issues that are important to them, and not to politicians who love guffing on about the constitution," he said.

The issue had not been raised with him in the leadership election, nor was it a public talking point, he said.

Asked about the principle of a referendum offering the choices of independence, no change, or other options, he said: "I'm not sure how you could have a multi-option referendum in that sense.

"I think there's a real danger of independence getting in through the back door in that kind of construction of a referendum.

"And I will not do anything that allows that to happen.

"I think we need to not get obsessed by this - I think politicians and the media are too obsessed by endlessly talk about referendums and the constitution.

"When Calman produces its report, when our own internal work is concluded on a blueprint for a stronger Scotland and a stronger Scottish Parliament within the United Kingdom, then we will look at all these options - but not until then."

Mr Scott also mounted a fierce attack on the SNP administration's "spin, spin, spin and a lack of substance".

"I will hold our government to account as to why, for example, their approach to housing is about re-announcements and old money rather than accepting the economic challenges we have in Scotland today and finding some new ways of tackling those issues," he said.