MP says Scotland could ask EU to allow second referendum

Holyrood should ask the European Union to sanction a second referendum on Scottish independence if the UK Government refuses to acknowledge a future nationalist majority, a senior SNP MP has argued.

Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart said the independence movement had reached a “tipping point” and was approaching the “optimum time” to put the question of self-determination back to the people of Scotland.

His “route map to independence” warns groups looking to stave off independence will hope the movement “beats itself” through frustration, division and impatience and calls for a united approach.

It states: “If the UK refuses to participate in an agreed referendum in the face of majority support and a clear democratic mandate, we must presume that they have decided to exempt themselves from their obligations and responsibilities as a partner in the union.

“We would then have the grounds to seek to secure our independence without their participation. This should involve a referendum designed in Scotland where a last invitation is offered to the UK to participate to put the case to remain in the union.

“A request to the EU to sanction this referendum should be made and every attempt to involve them in the designing of that referendum should be pursued.”

Mr Wishart’s preference is to secure an “irrefutable mandate” by winning a majority at next year’s Holyrood election with a “clear and unambiguous commitment to hold a referendum”, and then “move quickly” with the participation of the UK.

However, he believes if such a mandate is rejected, Scotland should seek approval from the EU to design a process for rejoining as a “substate” despite there being no current provision for this within the body’s existing rules.