The Saj has attracted backlash from Scots on Twitter over a second referendum (Picture: PA/Twitter)

Sajid Javid is getting roasted on Twitter after ruling out the possibility of another Scottish referendum if chosen as the UK’s next Prime Minister.

The home secretary, who is jostling to become next Conservative Party leader made the comments in response to a bill for a second independence vote published in Holyrood yesterday.

Defiant Scots who didn’t take too kindly to Mr Javid’s words hit back on social media with the #PermissionfromSajid hashtag which is trending on Twitter.

People are asking now him if they need his permission for literally everything from staying out after dark to having cheese on toast.


I've washed the dishes but I was just going to let them drip dry in the rack tonight. That cool with you @sajidjavid?#permissionfromsajid — Where's Murphy? (@Rory_M_Stewart) May 29, 2019

Hey @sajidjavid, I was going to watch some old episodes of Blackadder. Is that Ok? #PermissionFromSajid pic.twitter.com/QXQskt5O7j — Hans Niesund (@HansNiesund) May 29, 2019

Excuse me, @sajidjavid, I’m planning an early night tonight, is that okay wth you? #PermissionFromSajid — Dr Joan Forbes (@legal_beagle1) May 29, 2019



Responding to calls for a second vote from Scottish National Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon, Mr Javid tweeted: ‘If I become PM, I won’t allow a second Scottish independence referendum.

‘People stated views clearly in 2014, so there should be no second vote. Nicola Sturgeon should spend more time improving public services in Scotland, and less time grandstanding.’

The backlash that followed even prompted Scottish newspaper The National to put a disclaimer on their front page asking readers to ask the Saj for permission before buying a copy.

As one Twitter user put it: ‘It takes a special kind of politician to get trolled by an entire nation including its institutions.’

@sajidjavid is it ok to take a dump at work, or should I wait till lunch time? #permissionfromsajid — snowmc (@ScottMcNair1) May 30, 2019

Hey @sajidjavid I want to stay out on my bike until after the street lights come on, is that okay? #permissionfromsajid — David Bratchpiece (@bratchy1) May 29, 2019

IMPORTANT: Sajid Javid has been in touch so we've had to make a last-minute change to our front page. Please make sure you now obtain #PermissionfromSajid before purchasing tomorrow's edition. Thanks. pic.twitter.com/EEPYdGvWsZ — The National (@ScotNational) May 29, 2019

One Twitter user got a bit meta and asked if they had permission to ask Mr Javid to let them do things.

Even Scottish MPs got involved, with MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South Maihri Black asking Mr Javid if it was ‘sound if she heads to bed’.

Others made the point that an English MP telling Scotland to ‘get back in their box’ would only serve the case for another referendum.

Even some English people have asked if they can join in with the #PermissionFromSajid joke – but they’ll have to ask Sajid about that of course.

But Mr Javid has taken the jokes on the chin and his campaign team have even used the hashtag to remind people of a list of banned terrorist organisations.

Has anybody actually asked @sajidjavid if it’s ok to ask @sajidjavid permission to do things that affect them and not him? #AskingForAFellowScot #PermissionFromSajid #MindYourOwnBusinessSajid — ross gillespie (@bigblether) May 29, 2019

You sound if I head to bed @sajidjavid? Absolutely shattered. #permissionfromsajid — Mhairi Black MP (@MhairiBlack) May 29, 2019

I would actually encourage them. Especially those who haven't yet told us to get back in our box.#PermissionFromSajid — Madeye Ó Maoláin 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🇪🇺🎗️ (@madeye611) May 30, 2019

Eh you'll have to ask wee saj! #permissionfromsajid — Marko Done (@Marko_Done) May 29, 2019

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. Only because he obtained #PermissionfromSajid — 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 KING of JOCKISTAN 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 (@KINGofJOCKISTAN) May 29, 2019

ICYMI: A list of proscribed terrorist organisations that DO NOT have #PermissionFromSajid https://t.co/TXWhRNpaBk — TeamSaj (@TeamSaj) May 30, 2019

I would have but that suit was with the dry cleaners https://t.co/wUwdbG2VBA — Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) May 30, 2019

Scottish First Minister Ms Sturgeon introduced the Referendums (Scotland) Bill to Scottish Parliament yesterday setting out the rules and regulations for a future independence vote.

She was criticised by political opponents for publishing the bill days after a very successful result for the SNP in the European Parliament elections.

The pro-remain party won a record 37.7 per cent of the vote and three of six Scottish seats in Brussels.

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Ms Sturgeon argued this highlights the political chasm between Scotland and the rest of the UK over the European Union.

Sajid Javid is being roasted by most of Scotland right now (Picture: PA)

So the question is, does Scotland need permission from Sajid to hold a second referendum?

Westminster have to agree to a Section 30 order before Scottish Parliament can go to the Scottish people and ask if they want independence.



Theresa May formally rejected a request for the order in 2017 saying ‘now is not the time’, so it looks like Holyrood will need permission from Sajid.

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In an interview with BBC Scotland’s The Nine Ms Sturgeon said: ‘We’re on a path that possibly ends with a hard Brexiteer like Boris Johnson or Michael Gove as prime minister and there’s no indication the people of Scotland want to go down that path.

‘If we’re not to have it imposed on us then we must a choice of an alternative.’

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has defended publishing a referendum bill (Picture: Getty)

She added: ‘I want that alternative to be as an independent European nation, but it should be for the people of Scotland to decide our future – not have it decided for us.

‘We had to legislate in 2014, we have to legislate again so we’ve got to get this done otherwise a referendum wouldn’t be possible.

‘There’s not really a UK Government that’s functioning at the moment. We don’t know who the prime minister is going to be so I’ve judged that rather than waste time on a UK Government that’s in meltdown and chaos right now, we’re going to get on and do our bit of the process.’

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