Sturgeon accuses Tories of arrogance on indyref2 ATTACK

● First Minister reacts angrily after Defence Secretary Michael Fallon says SNP has no mandate for another vote

Nicola Sturgeon yesterday claimed the arrogance of the Tories “knows no bounds” as she reacted to Defence Secretary Michael Fallon’s suggestion that the UK government would block another independence vote.

The First Minister warned that any attempt to impede an independence referendum would be a “democratic outrage”.

On a visit to Scotland, Mr Fall on suggested the UK governmentwould refuse to grant ms Sturgeon the power to hold another independence vote in the lifetime of this parliament.

In an interview, the Defence Secretary said Ms Sturgeon did not have a mandate to stage another vote on Scotland’s status.

When asked if theuk government would facilitate another referendum, he replied: “No, forget it. The respect agenda is two way. She [Sturgeon] is constantly asking us to respect the SNP governmnent but she has to respect the decision of Scotland to stay inside the UK in 2014 and the decision of the UK to leave the EU. Respect works both ways.”

Later on the BBC, Mr Fallon attempted to backtrack, saying: “We don’t see the need for a referendum, I think this is a diversion.”

Ms Sturgeon’s spokesman said: “The arrogance of the Tories knows no bounds. They now think they can do what they want to Scotland and get away with it – not content with trying to drag us out of EU against our will with the support of just one MP out of 59 in Scotland, they are now suggesting they might try to block the nation’s right to choose a different path. Any Tory bid to block a referendum would be a democratic outrage, but

0 Nicola Sturgeon, pictured at Holyrood yesterday, accused the Tories of a ‘democratic outrage’

SNP SPOKESMAN would only succeed in boosting support for both a referendum and for independence itself – something which the Prime Minister has previously indicated she understands all too well.

“Our mandate is unequivocal, with a manifesto commitment which makes explicitly clear that the Scottish Parliament should have the right to decide on an independence referendum if Scotland faces being taken out of the EU against our will. And no Tory Westminster government has a right to stand in the way.

“Michael Fallon’s comments betray how rattled the Tories are about Scotland – but his frantic backpedalling when pressed on the issue this morning shows that he understands what a disastrous strategy it would be for them to try and deny Scotland’s democratic right.”

“The arrogance of the Tories knows no bounds. They think they can do what they want to Scotland”