‘It’s important to stand up for what is right’
SNP MP who helped to lead legal action against Johnson’s suspension of Parliament has her say I AM delighted that the justices of the UK Supreme Court have unanimously upheld the decision of Scotland’s Supreme Court that Boris Johnson’s prorogation was unlawful.
Their decision is a vindication of my decision to lead the petitioners in the Scottish legal action.
As a member of the Scottish bar, I’m really proud that Scotland’s Supreme Court, the Inner House of the Court of Session led the way in finding Johnson’s actions unlawful.
Their willingness to do so was very much in line with the Scottish constitutional tradition that neither the monarch nor the government are above the law.
This goes back to the Declaration of Arbroath and the Claim of Right.
Those metropolitan commentators who sought to denigrate the Scottish court have been left looking very foolish.
I hope this experience will teach them to be more respectful of Scotland’s institutions.
Throughout the Brexit process, the British Government has sought to marginalise Scotland’s Parliament and the wishes of the people of Scotland. So it’s been nice to have been able to use Scotland’s legal system to strike a blow for democracy.
I am a strong believer in protecting the rule of law, constitutional democracy and the protection of rights through a written constitution.
In politics, people are always trying to drag you off course. It’s important not to be sidetracked and to stand up for what you believe is right.
It is also important not to be intimidated by abuse or threats when standing up for free speech, democracy and the rule of law.
That’s what I have tried to do and today feels like a massive vindication.