A CONSERVATIVE cabinet minister has suggested that Scots should be able to hold a referendum if they decide they want to.

Kwasi Kwarteng appeared to deviate from the views of his boss, the Prime Minster, when he told a journalist that it was "up to the Scottish people" whether to hold another poll.

Earlier today Boris Johnson said another referendum was “completely in-apposite, irrelevant, uncalled for and unnecessary", after repeatedly ruling out granting a Section 30 order to Holyrood to hold another vote.

During a visit to Scotland last month, he said he believed IndyRef2 was "completely irrelevant" to most people.

The Herald: Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently visited Scotland to try to strengthen support for the union

However Mr Kwarteng, the business Secretary, said during a TV interview: "It’s up to the Scottish people to decide when and whether they want a referendum."

Asked if he agreed with Mr Johnson's comments, he said: "I’ve always thought that the issue of Scottish independence is something for the people in Scotland.

"I do remember, in 2014 I think it was, that they said that the referendum would settle the issue for 25 years, for a generation.

“And I am surprised at how often it’s come back, but it’s up to the Scottish people to decide when and whether they want a referendum."

Kirsten Oswald, the SNP's deputy Westminster leader, welcomed Mr Kwarteng's remarks, saying he was "absolutely correct that the people of Scotland – not Boris Johnson – have the right to decide their own future."

She added: "The UK government seem to be waking up to the reality that their anti-democratic position of denying people in Scotland that right is completely unsustainable.”