BORIS Johnson took the time to write to Nicola Sturgeon rejecting her request for a Section 30 order, despite his cabinet collapsing around him.
The First Minister wrote to the Prime Minister last week making the request, effectively a formality as Downing Street has repeatedly ruled out agreeing to another independence referendum.
Sturgeon has already taken the question of whether Holyrood can legally legislate on indyref2 to the High Court. If the court rules that the Scottish Parliament cannot do this, she intends to use the next general election as a de facto referendum, with a majority vote for the SNP securing a mandate.
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After dozens of ministers and assistant ministers quit the UK government on Wednesday, and the Prime Minister faced dual criticism over her handling of Chris Pincher’s allegations at PMQs and at the Liaison Committee, Johnson’s response to the First Minister of Scotland.
“I have carefully considered the arguments you put forward for devolving powers from the UK Parliament to the Scottish Parliament to hold a new independence referendum.
“As our country faces unprecedented challenges at home and abroad, I cannot agree that now is the time to return to an issue that was given a clear answer by the people of Scotland in 2014.”
He continued: “Our shared priorities must be to respond effectively to the global cost of living challenge, to support our NHS and public services as they recover from the huge disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic, and to play our leading role in international response to Russian aggression in Ukraine. These are common challenges in the UK that deserve our full attention.
“People rightly expect the UK and Scottish Governments to work together in their best interests – and that is what we are doing, as evidenced by our productive call on Monday evening. We are working together on measures to ease the cost of living and I hope that we will soon have the chance, together with colleagues from the Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive, to discuss further action with the next Prime Minister and devolved leaders government council.
“Regarding Covid-19, we are maintaining the close cooperation that began during the acute phase of the pandemic as we continue to navigate the next phase. On Ukraine, I am grateful for your continued support for the UK’s response to Putin’s brutality. The Scottish Government makes a significant contribution to our humanitarian response through the innovative devolved government sponsorship route in our Homes for Ukraine scheme.
“The Scottish Government’s contribution of £65 million to our continued military support for Ukraine will help our brave allies continue their fight. In addition, our ministerial colleagues are strengthening and deepening their cooperation at all levels through the new interdepartmental groups.
“On all fronts, we stand ready to achieve much more for the people we serve by continuing to work together as partners.”
Sturgeon responded by suggesting the letter was one of her last acts as prime minister as pressure to quit mounted.
Two cabinet members who were appointed less than 24 hours earlier, Nadhim Zahoui and Michelle Donnellan, are reported to be among the group of ministers telling Johnson to resign.
“I just got this from Johnson (one of his last acts as prime minister?),” Sturgeon said.
“To be clear, Scotland will have the opportunity to choose independence – hopefully in a referendum on 19 October 2023, but if not, through a general election. Scottish democracy will not be held captive by this or any Prime Minister.’
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The Scottish Government has been approached for comment.
The letter came after the first minister and Johnson spoke in a brief phone call on Monday where they discussed “a range of topics”.
On her push for a second referendum, she told the Prime Minister that Holyrood was “ready and willing to negotiate” on steps to hold a new vote, but said if it was blocked it would not mean voters in the north from the border, “the democratic right to choose is denied”.
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