Boris Johnson rules out second independence referendum for Scotland

Boris Johnson ruled out a second referendum on Scottish independence ‘at any time in the foreseeable future’ yesterday – as he launched a new drive to keep the UK together.

A Government source added that the Prime Minister’s emphasis on the need to rebuild after the pandemic meant he would not countenance a referendum for many years.

Mr Johnson’s comments came as Downing Street confirmed that the troubled ‘union unit’ set up inside No 10 has been scrapped.

Boris Johnson ruled out a second referendum on Scottish independence ‘at any time in the foreseeable future’ (File image) 

The unit, which was established to develop a strategy for keeping the UK together, has lost two chiefs – Luke Graham and Oliver ‘Sonic’ Lewis – in a fortnight amid reports of infighting.

No 10 has said the unit would be superseded by a new Cabinet committee that will be led by the Prime Minister.  

Asked about the issue, he replied: ‘I think the focus of politicians throughout the UK should be on fighting the pandemic, working together to defeat Covid and building back better and quite frankly I do not see the virtue, value or utility of having a referendum at any time in the foreseeable future, particularly when we have to defeat Covid and take our country forward.’

A Downing Street spokesman rejected the suggestion the creation of the new committee was a sign of ‘confusion and panic around the Union’.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said later on Thursday: ‘No, I think it demonstrates our commitment to the Union and the focus the PM has on ensuring that we deliver for all countries of the United Kingdom.’

The spokesman said that No 10 officials would continue to work in the Union unit but the new Union strategy committee would build on existing structures.