We’ll hold a referendum whatever Boris says, Nationalist MP declares

THE Scottish Government would ‘simply go ahead with a referendum’ if Boris Johnson rejects Nicola Sturgeon’s bid for a legally binding vote, a Nationalist MP has said.

Richard Thomson told BBC Radio 5 Live the Scotland Act would allow a vote to take place even if the UK Government does not approve. If the Prime Minister does not grant a Section 30 order, which is needed to hold a referendum, ‘the Scottish Government has been quite clear that the other route to that is simply to go ahead with a referendum’, he added.

Nicola Sturgeon says she will seek to hold a referendum within the first half of the next parliamentary term if she is reelected as First Minister and will press ahead through the Referendums Bill if the UK Government rejects her demands.

But Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said: ‘The SNP have put an illegal, wildcat referendum on the table as a real threat.

‘Their plan is reckless, irresponsible and would have downright dangerous consequences for jobs and our economy.’