THE Scottish Government has climbed down over the Electoral Commission's role in the independence referendum question after accepting it should play a key role in considering its legitimacy.
Labour hailed the announcement as a major shift in the SNP's stance, after the Nationalists had previously dug in over who should rule on the wording.
The Holyrood administration had wanted to decide on important issues relating to the referendum proposed for autumn 2014.
The change came as more than 21,000 responses were received for its consultation on the issue, which closed last night.
Government Strategy Secretary Bruce Crawford, pictured, said: "The Electoral Commission has expertise in regulating referendums and elections and we have already announced that it will regulate and monitor the autumn 2014 independence referendum.
"As part of its role, the commission will also be asked to conduct the testing of the ballot paper. It will then be for the Scottish Parliament to decide the final question or questions – in line with the arrangements for other referendums in the UK."
Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont said: "This latest concession from the SNP Government is a welcome one. I hope Alex Salmond will now sit down with all party leaders to discuss the wording of a single, straight question that we can put before the Electoral Commission."
John McCormick, Electoral Commissioner for Scotland, said: "Our priority has always been that any referendum must be run in the interests of voters. We therefore welcome the Scottish Government's announcement that it wants us to play a role in both regulating the referendum and undertaking independent testing of the referendum question."
Meanwhile, David Cameron said yesterday he wanted urgent talks between Michael Moore, the Scottish Secretary, and Alex Salmond, the First Minister. The Prime Minister's spokesman said: "We need to get on with this sooner rather than later. The continuing uncertainty is damaging to Scotland."
The Scottish Government has said the results of its consultation would be published over summer after an independent analysis had been completed.
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