BAILIE Denis Agnew has lodged a petition urging the Scottish Government to consider a written constitution for Scotland.

Following discussions with Gil Paterson, Clydebank’s MSP, Martin Docherty-Hughes, West Dunbartonshire MP, and Jonathan McColl, council leader, Mr Agnew submitted his petition on January 14.

In background information, Mr Agnew highlighted: “As the UK is poised on the brink of leaving the EU, and given 2020 is the 700th Anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath, surely it is now incumbent on the Scottish Parliament to consider the important issue of a need for a codified written constitution for the people of Scotland that are not subject to the whims of Westminster Government parliamentarians, or interpretations of common law and historical precedents.

Read more: Clydebank drug recovery project Alternatives is awarded top marks

“As the debates surrounding the departure from the EU and the call for an independent Scotland gather momentum, it is evident that being part of a disparate UK is not a viable or sustainable prospect.

“The concept of ‘united’ is now considered by many not to be applicable.”

Mr Agnew added: “The UK faces seismic societal and economic change, the need for clarity on constitutional rights for each citizen in those component countries in the UK should now be pursued, particularly within the Scottish Parliament, as it has reserved powers on law and home affairs.

“This would be in the best interests of the people of Scotland.”