Boris Johnson: Scottish independence debate is “irrelevant” during the pandemic

Boris Johnson claims the Scottish independence debate is “irrelevant” to most people during the Covid pandemic.

The Prime Minister’s been in Scotland - visiting the Lighthouse Lab in Glasgow and Valneva vaccine manufacturing facility in West Lothian.

The SNP says the visit is an example of a Prime Minister in panic with polls showing a majority support for independence.

Mr Johnson , said: "Endless talk about a referendum, without a clear description of what the constitutional situation would look like after that referendum is completely irrelevant now, to the concerns of most people who want to beat this pandemic."

The Prime Minister added there remains unanswered questions on how an independent Scotland would function, in particular around security, currency and the monarchy.

"People are endlessly going on about a referendum, even though we had one in 2014," he said.

"What's it intended to deliver? What happens to the pound? What happens to the foreign service? What happens to the Army? What happens to the Queen? What happens to our security services?

"None of these questions - fundamental to statehood - have been asked or answered.

"To say you want a referendum is like saying you don't mind what you eat provided you eat it with a spoon."

The Scottish Government's 670-page white paper on independence released prior to the 2014 vote said the Queen would remain head of state, and a defence force would be set up using existing personnel and assets it said would be "inherited".

Four different currency options, including the continued use of the pound, were floated.

Mr Johnson reiterated that the 2014 vote, which saw Scots vote to remain part of the UK by 55% to 45%, was a "once in a generation event" - something repeatedly said by both sides ahead of the referendum.

He added: "Let's take them at their word, all those on both sides of the argument who said that, and let's concentrate on what I think the people of this country want, which is to work together, defeat Covid and bounce back better together, build back better together.

"That's what I think most people across the country want us to achieve."

Earlier on Thursday, SNP deputy leader Keith Brown said the Prime Minister was "rattled".

He added: "By branding this campaign trip as 'essential', this is clearly a Prime Minister in panic who knows the Tories are losing the argument on independence.

"Twenty polls in a row have shown that a majority of voters believe Scotland's future should be in Scotland's hands - not Boris Johnson's."

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