THE UK Government should not block a potential second Scottish independence referendum, Ruth Davidson has said, stressing, however, that she would argue strongly against holding one.
But Nicola Sturgeon described the Scottish Conservative leader’s comment as a “major and significant concession” by the Scottish Tories.
The SNP’s Holyrood manifesto said a ''significant and a material change'' of the circumstances in which Scotland voted against independence in 2014 could trigger a second poll.
Ms Davidson, asked about the prospect of another independence referendum, said: “I have never said it should be denied; I didn't say it the last time either.
"But it's so premature for the First Minister, within three-and-a-half hours of votes being counted...standing up in Bute House and saying she was asking government officials to draw up the necessary legislation for a second independence referendum.
"We don't know what we'd be voting on because there isn't an offer to the UK Government from the EU. It's further destabilising in a period of instability already and it ill-becomes her.”
But when asked if the UK Government - which facilitated the 2014 ballot - should allow a future independence vote, the Scottish Tory leader replied: "I would argue as strong as I could that we should stay part of our biggest market and closest friend.” But then she added: "Constitutionally, the UK Government shouldn't block it; no."
A spokesman for Ms Sturgeon said: "This is a major and significant concession by the Scottish Conservative Party since the Scottish Parliament elections less than 60 days ago, when they said they would stand against a second referendum and claimed there was no mandate for one.”
Earlier, Michael Gove, the Justice Secretary, who is one of five candidates vying for the leadership of the UK Conservatives, stressed how there was "no appetite" for a second independence poll in Scotland as he side-stepped the question on whether or not as prime minister he would sanction it. "I don't believe that we'll need to go down that path," he added.
The comments came as former prime minister Tony Blair suggested the Brexit vote could be reversed in future as he urged the UK Government to keep all its option open as the “will of the people” might change.
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