Ancient right needs a head-on collision

Sir, – The so-called Supreme Court ruling that Holyrood cannot have an independence referendum is an abomination. It has rightly been met with contempt and anger by millions of Scots.

It is a shameful landmark in the destruction of democratic rights. It leaves the United Kingdom as a legal, moral and politically bankrupt entity.

This disastrous decision will stand alongside the Dred Scott case in its infamy. This was when the US Supreme Court ruled that even freed descendants of slaves had no rights the white man was required to respect. Nor could they be citizens.

There is no doubt that Scotland now is a colony. Democracy exists in name only.

The ruling should be the end of the “constitutional” approach pursued by the SNP. This had been a disaster. Reasserting Scotland’s ancient right to independence will require a head-on collision with Westminster.

The right of nations to secede is enshrined in international law.

This trumps domestic law. This was the position of the UK when Kosovo left Serbia. The same applies to Scotland.

This will not happen with the current SNP leadership in place.

Alan Hinnrichs. Gillespie Terrace, Dundee.