MSPS back new indyref as EU bids a tearful farewell
●Scottish Secretary insists Holyrood vote changes nothing on a fresh referendum
Nicola Sturgeon has said the case for a fresh referendum on independence is “overwhelming” as the Scottish Parliament backed calls for a repeat of the 2014 vote in a keynote vote last night.
But the UK government, which has control over the constitution, moved quickly to rule out the prospect of another referendum being held.
MSPS voted 64-54 in favour of a Scottish Government motion stating that “a referendum should be held so that the people of Scotland can decide if they wish to become an independent country”.
Pro-union leaders at Holyrood branded the vote a “ridiculous charade” and insisted Scots wanted to see their government focusing on shortcomings in the NHS and education, as well as rising crime.
The moment came as the European Parliament set the seal on Britain’s departure from the EU, voting overwhelmingly last night to back Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal. There were emotional scenes as the result was announced, with MEPS linking hands
They were once team-mates gracing the hallowed turf of Murrayfield with their presence for the Scottish rugby team while also playing with pride for the British and Irish Lions.
Now a former Scotland captain is going the extra 500 miles to help legends Doddie Weir and Tom Smith raise £100,000 for their respective charities. Rob Wainwright is leading a charity cycle team who will ride from Twickenham in London to the BT Murrayfield Stadium, setting off on 6 February.
The Wounded Lions 500, which includes international rugby players and endurance cyclists, plan to pedal for 48 hours, arriving in time to deliver the match ball for kickoff at the Scotland v England Six Nations match on 8 February. They plan to raise money for two charities close to the hearts of all involved.
The My Name’5 Doddie Foundation was set up by Weir in 2017 following the former Scotland rugby star’s motor neurone disease diagnosis (MND) in 2017 to fund research for a cure to the devastating disease.
Smith, who won 61 Scotland caps and was selected for two Lions tours, has been recently diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer and chose 40tude, which helps fund pioneering research projects, targeted at the early diagnosis and treatment of the illness.
Other players joining the challenge include John Hall, a former England international, former Ireland cap Paddy Johns and Paul Volley, a legend at English rugby club Wasps – all completing the full 500 miles.
Wainwright said: “I’m hugely honoured to have played for
Scotland and the Lions alongside Doddie and Tom. Both are top men and both have tragically hit hard times with their health recently. Whilst we cannot heal them, we can point our bikes north for 48 hours inspired by their fortitude and courage in the face of huge adversity. Two very different characters, but legends the twain. We aim to beat last year’s £65k fundraising total, and help improve both the treatment and the prognosis for MND and colon cancer.”
Meanwhile, more than 1,000 people affected by MND have been directly helped by grants funded by the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, which is pledging another year of support to MND Scotland and MND Association’s care grants programmes.
The announcement marks the start of a third year of support from the foundation. While much of the money raised is directed into research, a significant amount is pledged to directly help people who are living with the disease via the MND Association
and MND Scotland. Weir’s Foundation has upped its donation to MND Scotland by £100,000, taking the total contribution to £250,000. The foundation has also donated £400,000 in total to the MND Association.
MND Scotland helped 250 people affected by the disease in 2019 through the charity’s grants programme, awarding almost £300,000 to families in Scotland.
The MND Association’s care grants programme totals more than £1 million annually for the rest of UK and, in 2019, helped 1,425 people.
Weir said: “We are delighted to know we have been able to help so many families over the last two years. There are many challenges to living with MND and it has been my aim to help people in a similar situation to myself live as full a life as possible. The grant schemes are vital and we are only able to help thanks to the amazing support we receive from our fundraisers and friends.”