PM set to ‘love bomb’ Scotland in last-ditch bid to save the Union

Michael Gove is rumoured to be lined up to be UK ‘protector-in-chief’

Boris Johnson is planning to “love bomb” Scotland in a bid to stem support for independence.

The prime minister has made protecting the Union a “top priority” in Downing Street after the SNP won 48 Westminster seats at last week’s election.

And it has been suggested that senior Cabinet minister Michael Gove, raised in Aberdeen, could be tasked with strengthening the Union.

It is understood that plans are being brought forward to invest cash north of the border through a UK shared prosperity fund in the New Year.

A policy unit in Downing Street dedicated to the Union will also be beefed-up to “send a message” that Scotland’s priorities are being heard at the heart of government.

Alongside the manoeuvres in Number 10, the Dunlop Review, which is looking at how the Union can be strengthened, has also been completed and is understood to be recommending the creation of a specific department for the Union.

Discussions have also been had at a senior level about giving the UK’S nations a greater stake at Westminster through House of Lords reform.

All the proposals are aimed at putting the Union on a more stable footing as calls for a second independence referendum continue to grow.

One senior Tory source said yesterday: “Boris will be looking to love bomb Scotland.

“Strengthening the Union really is a top priority.”

Michael Gove has been suggested as a figure to oversee the task of strengthening the Union.

“He has been doing the preparatory work for a no-deal Brexit, but with the election result we’re able to leave with a deal, so this is something Michael could really now turn his attention to and get his teeth into,” the Tory source added.

The prime minister’s official spokesman yesterday poured cold water on the idea of a new department for the Union, saying the Scotland Office would continue to operate as it was.

He added that the Dunlop Review was still only in a “draft form” and that its recommendations would be published next year.

Picture: PA. Prime Minister Boris Johnson addresses his new Cabinet yesterday.

Michael Gove, who is rumoured to have been tasked with strengthening the Union.