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Nicola Sturgeon warned Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other Westminster MPs that they will “not succeed” in bringing down Scottish independence stating they will deliver the “strongest” argument for independence if they challenge the will of the Scottish people in court. She added it was now down to the Scottish parliament to decide when the referendum will be held as she shifts her rhetoric towards tackling the pandemic and other domestic issues. The first minister also said the people of Scotland were “sovereign” and found it “absurd” there were political parties whose sole mission was to block her mandate for independence. <\/p>\n
Speaking to BBC News, Ms Sturgeon was asked her opinions on securing Scottish independence now the SNP will not have a majority in Holyrood. <\/p>\n
She replied: “Getting through the Covid crisis has to come first and that is what I will deliver on. <\/p>\n
“I’ll be getting back to work tomorrow to continue to steer us through the Covid crisis.”<\/p>\n
Ms Sturgeon was interviewed before the final results were announced and said despite no majority the SNP and parliament have a democratic commitment to independence as parties supporting the issue will lead in Holyrood. <\/p>\n
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She explained: “By any normal standard of democracy that majority should have the commitments it made to the people of Scotland to honour. <\/p>\n
“So for any Westminster politician who tries to stand in the way of that, I would say two things. <\/p>\n
“Firstly, you’re not picking a fight with the SNP, you’re picking a fight with the democratic wishes of the Scottish people. <\/p>\n
“And secondly, you will not succeed, the only people who can decide the future of Scotland are the Scottish people.<\/p>\n
“No Westminster politician can and should stand in the way of that.”<\/p>\n
The SNP leader was then asked when she would put forward the referendum after standing on a manifesto promising one.<\/p>\n
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She explained: “Westminster knows my position on these things, the timing of an independence referendum should be a matter for the Scottish parliament.<\/p>\n
“It should be the judgement of the parliament to judge the position of Covid and when the time is right to have a referendum. <\/p>\n
“That is not the decision of Boris Johnson or for any Westminster politician – but my immediate job is to get us through this crisis.”<\/p>\n
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