ANDY BURNHAM told First Minister John Swinney that “independence is off limits” when they met, according to Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander today.

The Prime Minister met Mr Swinney for the first time since his premiership when the two, alongside Mr Alexander and Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth, were in Glasgow for the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.

Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland, Mr Alexander said the constitution formed “a relatively small part of the conversation,” but added: “Up front, the Prime Minister made clear that independence was off limits.

“John Swinney, perfectly honourably, continues to advance the case that he would like to see independence for Scotland — that’s been the cause to which he’s devoted his political life.

“But Andy, in a very reasonable way, was pretty open in saying, ‘listen, respectfully, we’ll agree to disagree on a referendum, and independence is off limits.

“Just because we don’t agree on everything doesn’t mean we can’t agree on anything.”

Speaking after the meeting on Thursday, Mr Swinney insisted: “The democratic question has got to be answered.

“I take that view and that is a priority for me to make sure it happens. The Prime Minister takes a different view.”

Taking a swipe at Mr Burnham’s devolution credentials, Scottish Green co-leader Gillian Mackay commented: “Democracy can’t be off limits.

“It is ridiculous for Andy Burnham to say that Westminster is failing and that power needs to be redistributed, only to ignore our Parliament and deny the people of Scotland the right to have their say.

“The only thing that Andy Burnham has devolved to Scotland so far is another Labour leadership crisis by appointing Anas Sarwar to the House of Lords.”