SNP Deputy says Nicola Sturgeon should call Indyref2 without UK permission

The Deputy leader of the SNP has been criticised after comments emerged in which he endorsed holding a referendum on independence even if the UK Government refused to transfer the legal power to do so.

By The Newsroom Thursday, 7th March 2019, 10:07 am Updated Thursday, 7th March 2019, 10:07 am

Keith Brown, who has been tasked by party leader Nicola Sturgeon with increasing support for independence, told activists that the Yes campaign ‘shouldn’t be willing to anticipate a refusal of a Section 30 order as a reason not to call a referendum.’

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A Section 30 order would be required if the Scottish Government is to be given the legal power to hold a referendum, as it was in the build up to the 2014 vote.

Keith Brown. Picture: John Devlin.

Theresa May has indicated that any attempt to seek a Section 30 order would be refused out of hand by her Government.

In comments first reported by the Scottish Sun, Mr Brown added: “If we want to have a referendum, then we decide we’re going to have a referendum.

“But there is a worry - I know Nicola’s concerned with the fact - that the arguments over a Section 30 can start to dissipate the support for independence. So that’s a worry as well.

“So, there’s all these kind of judgements, but, and the other point of course to make is that we have a mandate.”

The comments were made to an audience from ‘The Aberdeen Independence Movement’.

Nicola Sturgeon announced a ‘pause’ in her plans for a second referendum after the SNP suffered setbacks at the 2017 general election, with the Scottish Conservatives cashing in thanks to an anti-referendum platform.

However, as Brexit chaos has increased, Ms Sturgeon has said that a new plan to hold a referendum will be announced in the first half of 2019.