Calls for FM to back down over indyref2

Nicola Sturgeon has been told to rule out a second independence referendum after one of her senior MPS said indyref2 would be called if Scotland is ignored on Brexit.

The First Minister backed Tommy Sheppard after he told Westminster on Monday that the Scottish Government’s mandate to hold another independence vote “will be executed” if Brexit goes ahead without consent from Holyrood.

His comments raised the temperature ahead of Mrs Sturgeon’s meeting with the Prime Minister in Downing Street. It follows a “reset” of SNP demands for indyref2 after the Brexit vote failed to boost support for another referendum.

Asked about Mr Sheppard’s comments outside No10 last night, Ms Sturgeon said: “He was articulating the position that is the long-standing position of the Scottish Government. We have a mandate for that within this session of the Scottish Parliament, but I’ve been very clear that we will take no further decision around the timing until other aspects of Brexit are clear.” 0 Adam Tomkins hit out at talk of a second indyref

Conservative MP Ross Thomson said Mr Sheppard’s comments were an “outrage” and showed the SNP would “use any excuse to take Scotland back to a second referendum”. And Adam Tomkins MSP, the party’s constitution spokesman, said: “The Scottish Conservatives are committed to delivering Brexit in a way that protects the UK internal market and respects devolution.

“The way to deliver that is through dialogue and compromise – not through the same old tired Nationalist threats. It’s time the SNP listened for once and respected the results of both referendums we have been through.”