Boris Johnson has rejected Nicola Sturgeon's call for Holyrood to be given the power to hold a fresh vote on independence, saying in a letter to the First Minister: "I cannot agree to any request for a transfer of power that would lead to further independence referendums."
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.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) January 14, 2020
Let's make 2020 a year of growth and opportunity for the whole of the UK 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/JjQp3X2J2n
READ MORE: Boris Johnson rejects Nicola Sturgeon's demand for second independence vote
Revealing the letter on Twitter the PM stated: "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."
Here is the full text of the Prime Minister's letter:
"Dear Nicola,
"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 the 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."
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