THE deputy leader of Scottish Labour has backed Nicola Sturgeon's right to call a new independence vote following the EU referendum result.
Alex Rowley, Kezia Dugdale's number two, said he would "not oppose" a new vote to leave the UK and accepted that the First Minister had a right to hold one after highlighting Brexit as a potential trigger in her manifesto.
The comments were welcomed by the SNP, with Ms Sturgeon claiming a new independence vote is "highly likely", but were attacked by the Tories. Ms Dugdale, who has seen her deputy make a string of comments perceived as unhelpful over recent months, has insisted Scottish Labour will not be dropping its opposition to a new referendum before 2021 "any time soon".
Mr Rowley said: "I have lost count of the number of people that have asked whether I support a second referendum on independence. My response is that I would not oppose such a referendum.
"I accept the SNP were clear in their manifesto that the Scottish Parliament would have the right to hold another one if there was a ‘significant and material change’ in the circumstances that prevailed in 2014 – such as Scotland being taken out of the EU against our will.”
He said that another referendum would be "a very different proposition" compared to September 2014, adding: "we do not know at this point what a UK out of Europe will look like.
"It is difficult to assess what will be in the best interests of the people of Scotland but we can set some guiding principles. These should include what is best in terms of our economy and jobs, pensions and dignity in retirement, free high quality education, health and public services and the security of our nation."
Linda Fabiani, the SNP MSP, said: "These are welcome comments from Scottish Labour’s Deputy Leader – making clear that the Scottish Parliament has the right to hold an independence referendum if it becomes clear this is the best or only way to protect Scotland’s place in Europe, and that he would not oppose such a referendum."
Jackson Carlaw, the Tory deputy leader, said: "Quite simply, there is no justification for a second independence referendum and it is a great pity that Scottish Labour no longer seems to believe that this is the case.
"No-one has a clue what Labour stands for any more, and Mr Rowley's comments will only add to the sense that this is a party which has completely lost its way."
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