Sturgeon urged to listen to tycoon’s warning over second referendum
NICOLA Sturgeon has been urged to heed the Scots tycoon Sir Tom Hunter and rule out a second independence referendum linked to Brexit.
Sir Tom, one of the country’s leading entrepreneurs, told The Herald yesterday it would be “foolhardy” to compound the uncertainty of leaving the EU with a referendum on leaving the UK.
The Ayrshire businessman, who made his fortune via the Sports Division retailer, also said Brexit was a barrier to independence, not a boost to the Yes cause.
He said: “I really do think it would be the wrong thing to bring up another independence referendum at this point. I’m not saying never, just not now. There’s enough uncertainty for us all to deal with.”
Despite the First Minister saying June’s Brexit vote has made a second referendum “highly likely”, Sir Tom disagreed.
He said: “I actually think the reverse with this uncertainty about Brexit… No one really knows what it’s going to mean from a commercial point of view. There are going to be so many things to be worked out that to add Scottish independence on top would be foolhardy.”
Conservative MSP Annie Wells said: “It really is time for the SNP to listen. Another referendum would cause even more uncertainty when businesses can least afford it.
“The Scottish Government should break the habit of a lifetime and do something helpful for Scotland’s businesses, by taking a referendum re-run off the table.”
Labour MP Ian Murray said: “World-renowned entrepreneur Sir Tom Hunter is right. The Tories’ reckless Brexit gamble will mean huge uncertainty for our economy over the next few years, and the last thing we need is the added uncertainty and upheaval of a second independence referendum.”
Scottish Liberal Democrats leader Willie Rennie said: “The problems we see with Brexit would be replicated with independence. The best future for Scotland is working with our partners in the UK. The best future for the UK is working with our partners in the EU.”
MP Stephen Gethins, the SNP’s Europe spokesman, yesterday accused the UK Government of creating “six months of damaging uncertainty” by failing to come up with a plan for Brexit.
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “Brexit is by far the biggest threat to Scotland’s jobs, prosperity and economy, which is why we have always been clear that remaining members of the EU – and members of the world’s largest single market of more than 500 million people – is the best option for our future.”