Union under threat

WITH Prime Minister Boris Johnson heading to Brussels today, the endgame for the tortuous process of EU withdrawal may be approaching.

But for the Union, the stakes couldn’t be higher – No Deal would represent an enormous boost for its avowed enemies.

The SNP is hypocritical when it condemns the prospect of chaos provoked by No Deal. Its own divisive prospectus would spell even greater disaster for the economy.

But it’s clear that the Nationalists would seize on scenes of turmoil, from empty shelves in the nation’s supermarkets to long HGV tailbacks in Kent, to further their own agenda.

It would reinforce the narrative that the UK Government has foisted this mayhem upon us, and that therefore separatism is the only credible escape route.

In reality, this is a disingenuous argument from a party intent on wrecking the UK – whatever the consequences f or the livelihoods of millions of Scots.

But Mr Johnson must remember that while No Deal could placate his restive backbenchers, it will exponentially strengthen the hand of the independence movement.

It’s vital that the Prime Minister secures an agreement that honours the mandate given to him four years ago by a majority of the British electorate.

But he must strain every sinew to clinch a deal that not only fulfils that crucial objective, but also safeguards our precious Union at a critical moment for its survival.

ONE cheer for the high street banks, who have committed to a six-month extension of a pledge to refund money swindled from unwitting fraud victims.

But while this is a victory for our Stop the Bank Scammers campaign, far too many firms still wriggle out of paying back duped customers. This is shameful.

With their enormous revenues, the banks can easily afford to bear the burden of this £4million-a-day racket. They should have the decency to do so without delay.