The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Sturgeon raises prospect of Indyref2 legal action
First Minister also predicts Scots will vote in favour of independence
Nicola Sturgeon has raised the prospect of taking legal action against Theresa May’s decision to refuse a second independence referendum.
The First Minister was asked following a speech at Stanford University in California about the constitutional wrangle between her administration and the UK Government over holding a fresh ballot on a Scottish breakaway.
In her response she dropped a hint that the requirement for Downing Street’s approval is something that could be challenged in the courts.
She said: “One of the things reserved to the UK Government is the constitution, which is quite a vague term.
“It has never been tested in court, but in 2014 we accepted that for there to be a referendum in Scotland, for the Scottish Parliament to legislate for a referendum, it required the legal consent of the UK Government.”
Ms Sturgeon has made a formal request to Mrs May for another independence referendum to be held in 2018/19 after the Scottish Remain vote in the EU referendum was over-ruled by Leave support in England and Wales.
That was immediately rebuffed by the Prime Minister, who insisted that “now is not the time” for another plebiscite.
Willie Rennie, the Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, said the SNP leader is “seeking support of the courts as she has lost the support of the public”.
“The First Minister has lost the plot over independence,” he said. “She needs to recognise there is little demand for yet another independence referendum and that she is losing support every day that she bangs on about independence.”
Ms Sturgeon, who is in the US to drum up investment for Scotland, said that Brexit “poses a fundamental question”. “Do we remain as we are, facing exit against our will from the largest trading bloc in the world, at the hand of a UK Government prioritising curbs on immigration above all else?” she said.
“Or do we become an independent country – with the opportunities and challenges that entails – and with the freedom to be an equal partner with the other nations of the UK and Europe and with countries across the world?
“My own view, as a supporter of independence, is that we will choose the second course.”
John Lamont, for the Scottish Conservatives, said: “It is a great shame that she has chosen to use her taxpayerfunded trip to America to promote independence and an unwanted referendum.”