Boris: No virtue or value in holding second Indyref

BORIS Johnson yesterday ruled out a second referendum on independence ‘at any time in the foreseeable future’ as he launched a drive to keep the UK together.

Nicola Sturgeon has pledged to hold another ballot if the SNP wins a majority at the Holyrood election in May.

However, she needs the approval of Westminster to make any vote binding.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister said: ‘Quite frankly, I do not see the virtue, value or utility of having a referendum at any time in the foreseeable future, particularly when we have to defeat Covid and take our country forward.’

A Government source said the PM’s emphasis on the need to rebuild after the pandemic meant he would not countenance a vote for many years. Mr Johnson’s comments came as Downing Street confirmed that a troubled ‘Union unit’ set up by No 10 has been scrapped.

The group, established to develop a strategy for keeping the UK together, has lost two chiefs in a fortnight.

Former MP Luke Graham quit the unit this month following a ‘furious dispute’ with the PM over a plan of action.

His replacement Oliver Lewis, a close ally of Dominic Cummings, left after only a fortnight, after being accused of briefing against Michael Gove.

No 10 yesterday confirmed the unit would be superseded by a Cabinet committee. Downing Street rejected the suggestion the committee’s creation was a sign of ‘confusion and panic around the Union’.

The Prime Minister’s spokesman said: ‘It demonstrates our commitment to the Union and the focus the PM has on ensuring we deliver for all countries of the UK.’