Scotland can be independent in five years, say SNP candidates

The three candidates appeared in a debate on the BBC on Tuesday.

The candidates faced off in the final TV debate of the contest on Tuesday (Jane Barlow/PA) (PA Wire)

The candidates to replace Nicola Sturgeon in Bute House have agreed that Scotland could be independent in five years.

In a wide-ranging debate on the BBC – the last televised event before the winner is announced on March 27 – Kate Forbes, Ash Regan and Humza Yousaf all agreed the country could leave the UK by 2028.

Ms Forbes and Ms Regan were unequivocal in their answer while Mr Yousaf said he believes “it can be”.