Sturgeon accused of hypocrisy over support for second Brexit vote

NICOLA STURGEON has been accused of “rank hypocrisy” after insisting a referendum on the final Brexit deal would not set a precedent for Scottish independence.

The Tories hit out after the First Minister said her party’s MPs would vote for a second Brexit referendum.

But Ms Sturgeon said that did not mean there would have to be a similar follow-up vote on the final terms Scottish independence, if it ever happens.

The SNP leader argued the lack of detail from Brexiteers on the UK’s future relationship with Europe was critical in the case for a second ballot.

Ms Sturgeon said: “There was the lie on the side of the bus and nothing more.”

Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland she added: “There was no detail then, there is no detail now and it looks increasingly likely that when the UK leaves the EU at the end of March next year, there will still be no detail about the future relationship, and that makes these two situations, in my view, very different.”

But Conservative MSP Annie Wells said: “Surely even Nicola Sturgeon can see the rank hypocrisy here.

“Her position is that, if she loses a referendum, then it must be re-run – but if she wins one, we have to accept her say-so forever.

“We may be Leave or Remain, Yes or No, but we should all be democrats first and foremost. That means respecting our decision to stay in the UK, and respecting our decision to leave the EU.

“Nicola Sturgeon’s failure to do either speaks volumes about her failure to listen. With an attitude like this, no wonder the SNP lost 21 seats under her leadership last year.”