Boris Johnson formally rejects Nicola Sturgeons demand for a second referendum on Scottish independence

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BORIS Johnson today formally told Nicola Sturgeon he will not allow IndyRef2 – arguing she promised to respect the 2014 referendum result.

The Prime Minister replied to the First Minister nearly four weeks after she wrote to him in the wake of the General Election requesting the power to hold independence votes is permanently devolved.

The PM wrote to the First Minister

But in his response, Mr Johnson said he cannot agree to any request for a transfer of power that would lead to further independence referendums.

And he claimed IndyRef2 would mean a continuation of “political stagnation” in Scotland “with Scottish schools, hospitals and jobs again left behind because of a campaign to separate the UK”.

The PM did not put any timescale on how long he would block a vote for, but his letter is expected to provoke a furious backlash from the SNP and Yes supporters.

Ms Sturgeon is campaigning for IndyRef2
Ms Sturgeon is campaigning for IndyRef2

In the letter, Mr Johnson said: Thank you for your correspondence of 19 December 2019.

I have carefully considered and noted the arguments set out for a transfer of power from the UK Parliament to the Scottish Parliament to allow for further independence referendums.

You and your predecessor made a personal promise that the 2014 Independence Referendum was a once in a generation vote.

The people of Scotland voted decisively on that promise to keep our United Kingdom together, a result which both the Scottish and UK Governments committed to respect in the Edinburgh Agreement.

The UK Government will continue to uphold the democratic decision of the Scottish people and the promise that you made to them.

For that reason, I cannot agree to any request for a transfer of power that would lead to further independence referendums.

Another independence referendum would continue the political stagnation that Scotland has seen for the last decade, with Scottish schools, hospitals and jobs again left behind because of a campaign to separate the UK.

It is time that we all worked to bring the whole of the United Kingdom together and unleash the potential of this great country.

Mr Johnson tweeted the letter along with the post: Today I have written to Nicola Sturgeon. The Scottish people voted decisively to keep our United Kingdom together, a result which both the Scottish and UK Governments committed to respect.

Let’s make 2020 a year of growth and opportunity for the whole of the UK.

Ms Sturgeon immediately hit back at the Prime Minister.

She said on Twitter: “The Tories are terrified of Scotlands right to choose – because they know that when given the choice well choose independence.

“Tories have no positive case for the union – so all they can do is attempt to deny democracy.

“It will not stand.

“The problem for the Tories is the longer they try to block democracy, the more they show the Westminster union is not one of equals and fuel support for independence.

“This response predictable – but also unsustainable and self defeating. Scotland will have the right to choose.

“@scotgov will set out our response and next steps before the end of this month – when we will also again ask @ScotParl to back Scotlands right to choose our own future”.

The 2012 Edinburgh Agreement – signed by Ms Sturgeon, Alex Salmond, David Cameron, and then Scottish Secretary Michael Moore – included a commitment by all sides to deliver a fair test and decisive expression of the views of people in Scotland and a result that everyone will respect.

The Scottish Government, Ms Sturgeon and Mr Salmond also repeatedly claimed the 2014 referendum was a “once in a generation” vote.