Mundell: It’s time to bin Indy threats
NICOLA Sturgeon should put the threat of a second independence referendum ‘to bed once and for all,’ according to Scottish Secretary David Mundell.
He was last night due to urge the First Minister to ‘de-couple’ independence from Brexit and criticise the ‘public rhetoric’ he believes has overshadowed talks between the UK and Scottish governments.
The Conservative minister is visiting Paraguay to meet political and business leaders and while there is set to make a speech about the UK in a post-Brexit world.
In his speech Mr Mundell was due to accuse the SNP of using Brexit to ‘reopen the issue that divided our country so badly’.
And he was expected to urge Miss Sturgeon to rule out a second divisive referendum following her poor General Election result.
The Nationalists lost 21 MPs in June months after Miss
‘Commitment to devolution’
Sturgeon announced her bid to seek a second independence vote, but this was rejected by Theresa May.
Scottish Ministers have accused Tory officials of attempting a ‘power grab’ of policy areas which will be returned to the UK following Brexit. However, the UK Government has insisted it will devolve further powers.
Mr Mundell was due to say: ‘We are making progress, but up to now, private progress has been overshadowed by public rhetoric.
‘We have been accused by the Nationalist government in Edinburgh of a “power grab”, of using our exit from the EU as an opportunity to centralise power at Westminster. That is simply not the case.
‘Our record demonstrates our commitment to devolution. As a former MSP I want to see the Scottish parliament strengthened and that is what will happen as we leave the EU. But I’m equally clear I want to see devolution delivered in a way that strengthens our United Kingdom, not undermines it.’
Mr Mundell was then due to claim that the Brexit debate in Scotland was ‘deliberately conflated with the question of Scottish independence’.
He was expected to add: ‘Despite the passage of three short years – and the decisive result – the Scottish National Party sought to use Brexit to re-open the issue that divided our country so badly.
‘Their attempt was roundly rejected in the recent General Election so we need the issues to be de-coupled for good.
‘First Minister Nicola Sturgeon could put that to bed once and for all by ruling out a second independence referendum at her conference this autumn, and I hope she does.
‘But whether or not she goes that far, I was heartened by her commitment in her programme for government to put the day job back, front
‘Attempt was rejected’
and centre. That is what people in Scotland asked for in June, and that is what they deserve.’
Mr Mundell is visiting South America as part of an international trade mission.
He was expected to say: ‘Half of the UK’s exports to Paraguay come from Scotland – mainly in the form of whisky. I understand this has been rising steadily over the years.
‘This is welcome, of course. But 20 years ago, we were exporting three times as much whisky to Paraguay. This is something I want to see turned around in the coming years, and which I see as a real Scottish opportunity.’
A spokesman for Economy Secretary Keith Brown said: ‘Mr Mundell’s obsession with independence and failure to understand the impact of the EU withdrawal Bill are at odds with the growing consensus that we must protect the powers of the Scottish parliament from this legislation. May’s showdown with Boris
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