Anger as Kirk ditches its neutrality on second poll

‘An elite at the top going their own way’

an official statement following Miss Sturgeon’s announcement about a second independence referendum.

Following a two-day debate and vote in the Scottish parliament she will seek the UK Government’s approval for the poll – and

KIRK leaders sparked fury yesterday after ditching a ‘politically neutral’ stance to demand Theresa May grants Nicola Sturgeon’s call for a second independence referendum.

The Church of Scotland urged the Prime Minister not to withhold another divisive vote on separation.

Convener Reverend Dr Richard Frazer said with a ‘majority of MSPs’ likely to back the First Minister’s attempts to gain a Section 30 order from the UK Government, Downing Street should not stand in their way.

He claimed the Kirk backed Remain during last year’s EU referendum – and that like this vote there are ‘many strongly held positions’ on both sides of the argument.

But Dr Frazer admitted there are ‘justifiable concerns’ a second referendum will be ‘bitter, divisive and divert attention away’ from the Brexit negotiations.

His comments angered those opposed to the breaking up of the UK, with Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser saying it is ‘inexplicable a Christian organisation is actively encouraging’ a re-run of the divisive and bitter 2014 vote.

The Church of Scotland yesterday released will ask the Prime Minister to grant a Section 30 order. Conservative ministers have not revealed how they will respond.

Dr Frazer said: ‘The UK Parliament will have the final say on whether to grant the right to hold an independence referendum. It would be wrong if it was withheld.’

He added that the Kirk continued to sup- port EU membership after backing the Remain campaign last year.

‘As with the UK’s membership of the European Union, Scottish independence is an issue on which there are many strongly held positions.

‘There are justifiable concerns that the debate could be bitter, divisive and divert attention away from the hugely complex negotiations which are taking place as the UK prepares to leave the EU.’

Dr Frazer said that the ‘risks are real’ around the potentially bitter and divisive arguments likely to be made in the run-up to another vote.

He added: ‘All those who take part in this debate about Scotland’s future – and the UK’s future as well – must be committed to holding a positive and informative debate.’

Dr Frazer’s comments were met with anger from Miss Sturgeon’s critics who claim another referendum will divide the country.

Mr Fraser said: ‘Dr Frazer is entitled to express Nationalist opinions on his own behalf, but in this case he is speaking on behalf of the whole Church of Scotland.

‘When did the Church decide it was going to support the SNP position? Was there a vote in the General Assembly? Were ordinary Kirk members like me ever consulted?

‘Or is this another example of an out-of-touch elite at the top of the Kirk going their own way with no thought for the views of the membership?

‘When we see political stances like this taken by the Kirk leadership, it is perhaps no surprise its membership figures are in free fall when many other churches are seeing growth.’