SNP split on fresh bid to break up UK

BATTLE FOR BREXIT Senior Nationalist MP pushes for new vote – on Russian TV channel

Deputy Scottish Political Editor NICOLA Sturgeon came under pressure to call for a second independence referendum from one of Alex Salmond’s key allies yesterday as splits in the SNP deepened. Angus MacNeil broke ranks and insisted the First Minister call for a snap vote on breaking up the UK, saying Scotland has ‘waited long enough’.

The demand by the Western Isles MP, made on Mr Salmond’s show on Russian broadcaster RT, is his latest intervention in recent weeks.

Mr MacNeil has also publicly criticised Miss Sturgeon’s Government and called for Mr Salmond to be readmitted to the SNP.

He was noticeably absent, along with Joanna Cherry, when the SNP leader posed with her MPs at Westminster following Theresa May’s Brexit deal defeat this week.

The pair have been outspoken supporters of Mr Salmond following the botched Scottish Government probe into sexual misconduct allegations, which the former SNP leader denies.

It comes amid a growing civil war within the SNP, with splits over the timing of a second independence referendum, alongside the Salmond row.

During yesterday’s appearance on RT, Mr MacNeil demanded a rerun of the 2014 independence referendum vote within months – and hinted that many of his colleagues back his calls.

He said: ‘Nicola Sturgeon has three steps at the moment. She has to identify the window, she has then to identify the process and then she’s got to get specifics on the date.’

Mr MacNeil said Miss Sturgeon did not have to ‘name the date today’, but added: ‘Our advice – summer, early autumn 2019, this year. In a month or two’s time she can name the date.

‘The Scottish people have waited long enough now. We’ve been quite patient through the twoand-a-half year comedy at Westminster. We have to move on.’

Mr MacNeil’s comments came as around 100 pro-independence protesters gathered outside the Scottish parliament, demanding another vote. There is growing pressure within the SNP for Miss Sturgeon to call for an immediate referendum, despite concerns it is not the right time.

The First Minister has revealed she plans to set out proposals for holding a second independence referendum ‘within weeks’ – with an announcement expected before Holyrood’s summer recess. She called for a referendum in March 2017, asking the Prime Minister for a Section 30 order – but the request was rejected. Then, Mrs May said: ‘Now is not the time.’

Weeks later, the SNP lost 21 MPs at the general election.

At First Minister’s Questions yesterday, Miss Sturgeon told MSPs that ‘the sooner Scotland is independent, the better for all of us’ as she committed to setting out her proposals even if Article 50 is extended – delaying Brexit.

Previously, Miss Sturgeon has said she would call for another referendum only after the ‘fog’ of Brexit had lifted, but yesterday she said: ‘The case and support for independence grow with every day that passes.

‘It is essential that the option of independence is open to people in Scotland. When people in Scotland have the ability to choose independence, I believe the country will opt to be an independent one.’

Miss Sturgeon and her Westminster leader Ian Blackford have suspended talks with the Prime Minister as they urge her to suspend Article 50 and call a second EU referendum.

Scottish Tory chief whip Maurice Golden said: ‘A maverick Nationalist MP appearing on a crank station with a ridiculed former First Minister says it all about the independence movement. How could anyone possibly take this demand seriously?

‘The people of Scotland don’t want a divisive referendum rerun and these barmy demands will only stiffen that opposition.’

Mr MacNeil has also called for Scotland’s most senior civil servant Leslie Evans to resign following the Government’s investigation into Mr Salmond. Jonathan Brocklebank

– Page 16 Stephen Daisley – Page 20

‘How can anyone take this seriously?’