Nicola Sturgeon in secret plot for Indyref2
NICOLA Sturgeon has recently sought legal advice on holding another independence referendum, according to a government source.
It comes just days after the First Minister promised to say more about the timing of a new vote on breaking up the UK "in the next few weeks". This newspaper understands that Scottish Government lawyers have recently been charged with developing up-to-date advice on the legitimacy of a new vote on the constitution. It is understood that external experts have also been consulted as Ms Sturgeon and members of her inner circle consider their options.
Opposition politicians last night accused the SNP administration of using public money to "plot the break-up of Britain" at the expense of other services.
The 2014 referendum was held with the legal consent of the UK Government under the terms of the Edinburgh Agreement, signed by Alex Salmond and David Cameron.
Although constitutional affairs are reserved to Westminster, the powers were devolved to Holyrood on a one-off basis under section 30 of the Scotland Act.
However Theresa May has firmly ruled out granting another section 30 order, saying two years ago that "now is not the time" for another referendum.
Ms Sturgeon could also attempt to call an advisory referendum, although it is far from certain that she has the power to do so.
Even if she were successful a non-legally binding poll would face a host of obstacles including a legal challenge in the courts.
It could also be boycotted by Unionists, as happened in the 2017 Catalan referendum when pro-Madrid voters stayed away in their droves.
Yesterday, SNP MP Joanna Cherry - seen as a potential successor to Ms Sturgeon - said the Brexit chaos at Westminster represented an "opportunity to extract a section 30 order".
Last night, Scottish Conservative chief whip Maurice Golden said: "This SNP government has never stopped plotting the break-up of Britain, and this revelation is simply an escalation of that.
"It's inexcusable that the nationalists should use government resources in this way, especially when there are so many problems within health, education and transport."
Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie added: "To be wasting more money on legal advice in support of another unwanted independence referendum, would be an outrageous abuse of the public purse.
“The Government ought to immediately come clean as to exactly what advice they have sought and what the bill has been.
“Rather than pursue the fantasy of another independence referendum, the SNP should be focused on addressing the crises in health and education.”
And Pamela Nash, chief executive of campaign group Scotland in Union, said public money should not be used to prepare the groundwork for a "divisive and unnecessary" ballot.
She added: "If the SNP is spending taxpayers' cash on legal advice for a second independence referendum, ministers must come clean and tell the public how much and why."
A Scottish Government spokesman refused to confirm or deny the suggestion that new legal advice was being prepared.
He said: "As the First Minister has made clear, she will update the position on independence in the coming weeks – even if the Brexit timetable is prolonged by an extension of Article 50."
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