I didn’t snub Sturgeon, says Boris after turning down her invitation
BORIS Johnson insisted yesterday he did not snub Nicola Sturgeon by declining her offer to meet during his two-day trip to Scotland.
Mr Johnson made the comments during a visit, which has been shrouded in secrecy, to boost the Union.
After being invited by Miss Sturgeon to discuss the coronavirus recovery this week, he suggested the pair hold talks with other first ministers at a later date.
He said he was ‘always delighted’ to see the First Minister, and asked whether he had snubbed her, he insisted: ‘No, I’m looking forward to continuing to work with the Scottish Government.’
Miss Sturgeon said it was a ‘missed opportunity’, adding: ‘I don’t feel snubbed. Most people will think it’s a bit odd that we’ve got a Prime Minister who talks a lot about the need for us to work together on getting through Covid but doesn’t take the opportunity when in Scotland to come and talk to me directly.’
It came as Sir Keir Starmer ruled out doing a deal with Miss Sturgeon’s SNP to win power at the next general election.
The Labour leader said there would be ‘no coalition going into those elections and no coalition coming out of it’.
The SNP’s grip on Scotland has led to questions over whether Labour needs its support to unseat the Tories. The SNP would most likely use a pact to demand a second independence referendum.
But Sir Keir said: ‘If you want a Labour government, you have to vote Labour. You can’t vote for another party and get a Labour government.’
WHENEVER Boris Johnson travels to Scotland, nationalists will ensure he has a frosty welcome.
But as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom he is to be commended for venturing north of the border, as he did yesterday, to make the case for the union.
Typically, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tried to embarrass him by offering a lastminute invitation, knowing full well his itinerary was fixed.
But for all her fondness for childish political games, the reality remains that the SNP’s monomaniacal pursuit of independence has come at vast cost to Scottish voters. Drug deaths are spiralling. education and the NHS in dire need of reform.
Meanwhile, the broad shoulders of the union have not only helped deliver the furlough scheme, but also the vaccine drive, which would have been impossible if Miss Sturgeon had had her way and shackled Scotland to her beloved EU.
If these past 18 months have taught us anything it is that we remain stronger together as a United Kingdom. It is vital Mr Johnson never ceases hammering home this crucial message.