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Tory leadership candidates to face Scottish members Tory leadership candidates face Scottish members
(about 3 hours later)
Conservative leadership contenders Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt are to face Scottish party members at a hustings event in Perth. Conservative leadership contenders Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt are facing Scottish party members at a hustings event in Perth.
Both men have pledged to protect the UK union amid warnings from senior Tory politicians that it could be at risk.Both men have pledged to protect the UK union amid warnings from senior Tory politicians that it could be at risk.
Prime Minister Theresa May made a speech in Stirling on Thursday urging her successor to prioritise the union.Prime Minister Theresa May made a speech in Stirling on Thursday urging her successor to prioritise the union.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon wants to hold a fresh Scottish independence referendum in the second half of 2020.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon wants to hold a fresh Scottish independence referendum in the second half of 2020.
She said Mrs May's speech - which urged Mr Johnson and Mr Hunt to "think creatively" about how to keep the UK together - was "too little, too late".She said Mrs May's speech - which urged Mr Johnson and Mr Hunt to "think creatively" about how to keep the UK together - was "too little, too late".
The hustings in Perth is the latest in a series of events around the UK which see the two candidates make a speech to local members before taking questions from a host and the audience.The hustings in Perth is the latest in a series of events around the UK which see the two candidates make a speech to local members before taking questions from a host and the audience.
Party members should receive their ballots in the coming days, with the winner to be announced on 23 July.Party members should receive their ballots in the coming days, with the winner to be announced on 23 July.
Both are likely to face questions about how their policies, particularly those around Brexit, could affect the UK.
A YouGov survey of Conservative members in June suggested that a majority would prefer Brexit to go ahead even if it caused Scottish independence, while another opinion poll suggested that a majority of Scots could back independence if Mr Johnson became prime minister.A YouGov survey of Conservative members in June suggested that a majority would prefer Brexit to go ahead even if it caused Scottish independence, while another opinion poll suggested that a majority of Scots could back independence if Mr Johnson became prime minister.
A series of senior politicians have come forward to voice concerns about the union, with Mrs May's speech in Stirling echoing the words of her de-facto deputy, David Lidington - and those of former prime minister Gordon Brown, who said the UK was "more at risk" than it had ever been.A series of senior politicians have come forward to voice concerns about the union, with Mrs May's speech in Stirling echoing the words of her de-facto deputy, David Lidington - and those of former prime minister Gordon Brown, who said the UK was "more at risk" than it had ever been.
Mr Johnson has insisted that he is a "passionate believer" in the union, and has claimed that Brexit "done right" could "cement and intensify" the bonds between England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. Speaking in Perth Mr Hunt insisted he would "not engage" with the Scottish First Minister on the possibility of another ballot.
Mr Hunt meanwhile has said he backs the union "with every drop of blood in my veins", and he would "never pay any price if it meant that Scotland would become independent". He said: "I will engage fully, responsibly and generously on everything that helps Scotland move forward but I will not engage with (Nicola Sturgeon) on the issue of independence, which will take Scotland backwards.
"If she asks for a second independence referendum, I will decline in the most British and polite way, but it will be a no."
The Foreign Secretary also hit out at the Scottish Government, saying ministers in Edinburgh must do more to prepare for the possibility of a no-deal Brexit.
He claimed the current arrangements were "very disappointing", saying: "All of us have to do more but to date as I've been watching the no-deal preparations I would like to see more focus on that from Nicola Sturgeon.
"(The Scottish Government) have been very disappointing in their preparations of a no-deal Brexit, which none of us want, but any responsible Government or authority in the United Kingdom should be taking seriously because there is that risk."
He insisted it was "not the time" to detail what steps the Scottish Government should be taking but added: "I think they know, and we know, the areas where more can be done."
The foreign secretary has won the backing of Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, and the bulk of the party's MSP group at Holyrood also signed a letter supporting him.The foreign secretary has won the backing of Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, and the bulk of the party's MSP group at Holyrood also signed a letter supporting him.
However, Mr Johnson won more backing among Scottish Conservatives during the ballots of of MPs at Westminster.However, Mr Johnson won more backing among Scottish Conservatives during the ballots of of MPs at Westminster.
Mr Johnson has insisted that he is a "passionate believer" in the union, and has claimed that Brexit "done right" could "cement and intensify" the bonds between England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.
Ms Sturgeon predicted that Scotland was "heading inexorably towards independence" regardless of who wins the contest.Ms Sturgeon predicted that Scotland was "heading inexorably towards independence" regardless of who wins the contest.
She said: "There is nothing that Theresa May's successor, whoever that is, can do to undo the damage to the unionist cause which has been inflicted during her premiership."She said: "There is nothing that Theresa May's successor, whoever that is, can do to undo the damage to the unionist cause which has been inflicted during her premiership."