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| David Mundell: 'No plans' for second independence referendum | David Mundell: 'No plans' for second independence referendum |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| No contingency plans have been made for a further independence referendum after next year's Holyrood elections, the Scottish secretary has said. | No contingency plans have been made for a further independence referendum after next year's Holyrood elections, the Scottish secretary has said. |
| David Mundell was asked about what plans his department had in parliamentary questions by an SNP MP. | David Mundell was asked about what plans his department had in parliamentary questions by an SNP MP. |
| On Sunday, Alex Salmond said a second referendum was inevitable with the issue "a question of timing". | On Sunday, Alex Salmond said a second referendum was inevitable with the issue "a question of timing". |
| Mr Mundell has urged the Scottish government to clarify its position on another vote. | Mr Mundell has urged the Scottish government to clarify its position on another vote. |
| An SNP spokeswoman for Nicola Sturgeon, who is on trade visit to China, said there was "no difference of opinion" between the first minister and Mr Salmond. | |
| She added: "The first minister had repeatedly said that she expects to see an independent Scotland in her lifetime. If there's to be another referendum it will be up to the Scottish people." | |
| Scottish voters rejected independence by 55% to 45% in last September's referendum. | Scottish voters rejected independence by 55% to 45% in last September's referendum. |
| After the SNP won 56 of the 59 seats in Scotland in May's general election, party leader and Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon stressed there was "no second Scottish independence referendum on the immediate horizon". | After the SNP won 56 of the 59 seats in Scotland in May's general election, party leader and Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon stressed there was "no second Scottish independence referendum on the immediate horizon". |
| However, with some opinion polls pointing to the possibility of a SNP landslide in the Scottish Parliament elections there has been speculation a second vote could be on the cards. | However, with some opinion polls pointing to the possibility of a SNP landslide in the Scottish Parliament elections there has been speculation a second vote could be on the cards. |
| Margaret Ferrier, the MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West, submitted two written questions on the issue to the Scottish secretary. | Margaret Ferrier, the MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West, submitted two written questions on the issue to the Scottish secretary. |
| She asked about the "implications for his policy on a further referendum on Scottish independence of the Scottish Parliament election in 2016 delivering a majority for political parties committed to the holding of such a referendum". | She asked about the "implications for his policy on a further referendum on Scottish independence of the Scottish Parliament election in 2016 delivering a majority for political parties committed to the holding of such a referendum". |
| The MP also asked "what contingency plans his department has prepared for the possibility of a further referendum on Scottish independence being the policy of the Scottish government after the Scottish Parliament election in 2016". | The MP also asked "what contingency plans his department has prepared for the possibility of a further referendum on Scottish independence being the policy of the Scottish government after the Scottish Parliament election in 2016". |
| Mr Mundell said he was "disappointed" by the questions in light of previous statements made by both Ms Sturgeon and her predecessor Mr Salmond that the referendum was a "once-in-a-generation" opportunity. | Mr Mundell said he was "disappointed" by the questions in light of previous statements made by both Ms Sturgeon and her predecessor Mr Salmond that the referendum was a "once-in-a-generation" opportunity. |
| 'No favours' | 'No favours' |
| In response, Mr Mundell said: "My department has not prepared contingency plans for the possibility of a further referendum being the policy of the Scottish government after the Scottish Parliament election in 2016." | In response, Mr Mundell said: "My department has not prepared contingency plans for the possibility of a further referendum being the policy of the Scottish government after the Scottish Parliament election in 2016." |
| He added: "We're approaching one year on from the referendum where the people of Scotland voted decisively to remain part of the United Kingdom. Yet the noises are growing from those who want to begin a countdown towards a second referendum. | He added: "We're approaching one year on from the referendum where the people of Scotland voted decisively to remain part of the United Kingdom. Yet the noises are growing from those who want to begin a countdown towards a second referendum. |
| "It does no favours to use talk of a second referendum as a cloak to avoid talking about what the Scottish government can do with the powers they've got and what they can do with the substantial powers which are on the way through the Scotland Bill." | "It does no favours to use talk of a second referendum as a cloak to avoid talking about what the Scottish government can do with the powers they've got and what they can do with the substantial powers which are on the way through the Scotland Bill." |
| Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr programme, former first minister Mr Salmond said three things were driving the case for a second referendum forward - a failure to deliver on the so-called "vow", the possible outcome of the EU referendum and "divergent views" over austerity cuts. | Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr programme, former first minister Mr Salmond said three things were driving the case for a second referendum forward - a failure to deliver on the so-called "vow", the possible outcome of the EU referendum and "divergent views" over austerity cuts. |