Opponents ‘working to deny people their say’ claims Robertson

The Supreme Court ruling signals the “end of the union as we know it”, Scottish Constitution Secretary Angus Robertson has said.

Mr Robertson said the decision shows the UK is not a “voluntary union” after the judges ruled the Scotland Act does not permit Holyrood to legislate on the issue.

Speaking at Holyrood, he quoted former Tory prime minister Margaret Thatcher who said “Scots have an undoubted right to self-determination”.

He added Scots “have chosen to have a choice but the Conservative Party, the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats are working hand-in-glove to deny the people their say”.

Mr Robertson added: “We will not give up on democracy and people will have their say.”

His comments came as he faced an urgent question, led by Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross, on the Supreme Court ruling.

Mr Ross urged the Scottish Government to turn its focus on to NHS backlogs and the cost-ofliving crisis.

He said: “We now have an opportunity to focus on the big challenges Scotland faces right now.

“Strikes, the global costof-living crisis and a winter storm in our NHS.”

Mr Robertson said it is an “inconvenient truth” for Mr Ross the Scottish Parliament election in 2021 gave the Scottish Government a mandate for a referendum.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Colehamilton said: “While Nicola Sturgeon goes through the motions, people wait days for an ambulance, months for NHS treatment and years for lifeline ferries.”

Scottish Constitution Secretary Angus Robertson.