'A dangerous distraction' - SNP blasted for wasting more Holyrood time debating Scottish independence

On Tuesday, the Scottish Government will lead a debate in Holyrood entitled “Scotland’s right to decide”, despite holding several debates and speeches on the issue since the May election.

It comes after First Minister John Swinney signed a memorandum of understanding with Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth, Northern Irish First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Irish Teachta Dála Mary Lou McDonald on breaking up the UK.

It also comes just a month after Mr Swinney published a draft Scottish independence bill, which he said would be introduced when Scotland gained the necessary powers to hold a second referendum.

But with the UK government insisting another referendum is off limits, critics have rounded on the move and the use of parliamentary time for another debate.

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: “This motion is a dangerous distraction when the SNP should be focused on issues that actually matter to Scots.

“John Swinney is so consumed by his teenage dream of breaking up our country that he’s even formed a morally repugnant pact with Sinn Féin, who have never denounced the murderous IRA.

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“In today’s increasingly dangerous world, Scotland cannot afford more SNP division, distraction and uncertainty.

“The Scottish Conservatives will use Tuesday’s debate to tell John Swinney to fix public services and bring down bills - not drone on about independence.”

Dame Jackie Baillie MSP, Scottish Labour’s deputy leader, added: “This is yet another gimmick from the SNP and John Swinney.

“They have absolutely zero interest in working with others for the benefit of people across Scotland - all they care about is grandstanding and pushing their own agenda.

“The SNP could be using this time to discuss how we can improve our health service, our education system, or ending child poverty.

“It says it all that the SNP don’t see any of these issues as being important enough to debate at the Scottish Parliament.”

The SNP, however, says Scottish Labour must “defend Scotland’s right to decide” and is urging its new party leader Michael Marra to back their motion.

They have seized upon comments from Prime Minister Andy Burnham who said Scotland is the exact same situation as Northern Ireland, where the Good Friday Agreement sets out that a border poll can be held when the Northern Ireland Secretary determines there is “a clear consensus in the country, when public opinion has changed to the point where the call has to be considered”.

SNP MSP David Linden said: “What is on the table on Tuesday is something which we can all agree - it is for the Scottish people to decide our own future.

“The Scottish Labour Party can defend Scottish democracy on Tuesday and assert that right and basic principle - this is a position they rightly held in the run up to 2014.

“The days of Westminster vetoing Scottish democracy must come to an end and Andy Burnham’s words are a welcome sign that we take at face value

“There can be agreement across the parliament on Tuesday and a moment where we take genuine steps forward as a country in ensuring Scottish democracy.

“Through a fresh start with independence, we can use our vast energy resources to build a wealthier, fairer Scotland as part of the EU. That’s the future we can build together - if we take the opportunity to vote for it.”

The Scottish Government debate will take place in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday afternoon, immediately after John Swinney faces backbench first minister’s questions.

During Tuesday’s debate, First Minister John Swinney will call on MSPs to unanimously back Scotland’s right to decide its own future, claiming that the movement for self-determination is “gathering pace”.

The motion says “the parliament agrees that Scotland is a nation that has a right to decide its own future”. Given there is a pro-independence majority in the Scottish Parliament, it is likely the motion will pass.

The UK Government reiterated Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s comments that a second independence referendum is “off limits”.

A spokesperson for the UK Government said: “The Prime Minister has been clear that another independence referendum is off limits, because it would be a distraction to our vital work of growing the economy and helping families with the cost-of-living.

“We want to work with the Scottish Government to drive growth, opportunity and prosperity in Scotland.”