May’s view on referendum timing will ‘crumble’

THERESA May’s position that now is not the time for a second independence referendum will crumble over time, Alex Salmond has said.

The former first minister said the Prime Minister’s attitude “just won’t stand” in the face of support for a second vote from the Scottish Parliament.

He also said had been a “sea change” in attitudes towards Scotland throughout Europe following the 62% remain vote north of the border in the EU referendum.

Mr Salmond refused to be drawn on the possibility of an advisory independence referendum being held in Scotland if Mrs May continued to withhold the power for a second ballot, saying the strategy was up to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

But he added: “The Theresa May line - this is not the time or now is not the time - is not going to stand.

“Back in the day, I remember David Cameron telling me there wasn’t going to be a Scottish referendum but that didn’t last against the demo- cratic wishes of the Scottish people and the Scottish Parliament and neither will the Theresa May line.

“It won’t necessarily crumble today or tomorrow or next week but over the next few months that line will crumble because no British prime minister can stand against the democratic wishes.

“Even Margaret Thatcher, for goodness’ sake, was prepared to acknowledge the right of the Scottish people to exercise self determination. Self determination delayed, like justice, is self determination denied and it just won’t stand politically.

“My prediction is that the Theresa May position will crumble over time.”