Scotland 'would need own currency if independent' says expert<\/h3>\n

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Express.co.uk understands work on a draft independence bill is taking place and accelerating at speed ahead of the election period from March 25th. An SNP source, told this publication: “We are ramping up the speed to deliver our pledge for a second Scottish independence vote.”<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

The draft Bill was promised in the legislative programme First Minister Nicola Sturgeon set out last year.<\/p>\n

Last month, the SNP also released an 11-point “roadmap” to an independence referendum – setting out that a ballot could take place if May’s Holyrood elections result in a pro-independence majority, even if Westminster refuses to grant a Section 30 order.<\/p>\n

This could see the party force the UK Government into a legal challenge, if a Section 30 order is not granted.<\/p>\n

21 polls have shown support for Scottish independence since January 2021 but rising tensions within the party over Alex Salmond and the independence approach have threatened this support.<\/p>\n

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Yesterday, Michael Russell, Scotland’s Constitution Secretary, warned “a very serious set of circumstances” would arise in the next session of Parliament on the future of the Union and devolution.<\/p>\n

Speaking at Holyrood’s Constitution Committee, Mr Russell stated that Scots need to decide between “a constant diminution and undermining of devolution” or independence.<\/p>\n

But Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said he certainly didn’t want a second referendum.<\/p>\n

He said: “I didn’t want to have a divisive referendum in 2014 but clearly there was a process that allowed that. A legitimate, legal process.<\/p>\n

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“We were told by Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP that was the gold standard of referendums and they would respect the outcome of that referendum and they clearly didn’t.”<\/p>\n

It comes as Boris Johnson is set to appoint a new head of his Union Unit, just days after the departure of Oliver Lewis.<\/p>\n

Oliver Lewis, a veteran of the Vote Leave Brexit campaign, stepped down from his role in No 10 last week.<\/p>\n

Mr Lewis replaced former Scottish MP Luke Graham as head of the unit earlier in February, just months before the Holyrood elections.<\/p>\n

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Scottish independence is 'not inevitable' says Douglas Ross<\/h3>\n

No 10 sources told Express.co.uk Mr Johnson was “strongly considering” a future replacement which “upholds British values.”<\/p>\n

Despite Mr Lewis’s departure, however, Boris Johnson’s Press Secretary Allegra Stratton said the PM’s relationship with Scotland was “working well”.<\/p>\n

She added: “The relationship between the Westminster government in Scotland and the Scottish people is working very well at the moment.”<\/p>\n

Mr Johnson is also due to visit Scotland before the election and a trip to the Shetland Isles could be on the cards.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

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Steven Coutts, the leader of the Shetland Islands Council sent letters to Boris Johnson and Nicola Sturgeon in a bid to discuss further self-determination of the isles last year.<\/p>\n

Mr Coutts recently oversaw a vote where island councillors voted 18 to two in favour of a motion to formally explore options “for achieving financial and political self-determination” from Scotland.<\/p>\n

Mr Johnson personally responded to the letter and said the UK Government is “keen to see power sit at the most appropriate level” including local government.<\/p>\n

Mr Johnson added in his letter: “We take seriously the commitments made as part of the Smith Commission to further devolve power from Holyrood to communities across Scotland.”<\/p>\n

He also stated that he would be keen to visit Shetland this year.<\/p>\n

A No 10 source added: “Any visits made by Government ministers to Scotland will be announced in due course.”<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

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