Boris Johnson says SNP calls for Scottish independence are 'irrelevant' during Covid pandemic
Video report by ITV News Political Correspondent Carl Dinnen
Boris Johnson has said calls for Scottish independence are "irrelevant", with most people wanting the government to focus on tacking the coronavirus pandemic.
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said she will move to hold a second referendum on independence if her Scottish National Party wins, as expected, the Holyrood elections in May, but Mr Johnson said the 2014 referendum was a "once in a generation event".
Asked if he would boycott a referendum held without the UK government's consent, Mr Johnson dodged the question, saying: "My focus is on defeating the pandemic."
Mr Johnson attacked the Scottish National Party for its record on jobs, education, fighting crime and drugs - "those are the things that I think people need to focus on", he said.
Mr Johnson is in Scotland amid growing calls for independence, to argue that the Union has been integral in administering the Covid-19 vaccine, providing coronavirus testing and giving economic support.
During the visit, he said: "I don't think that the right thing to do is to talk endlessly about another referendum when I think what the people of the country want, what the people of Scotland want in particular, is for us to fight this pandemic."
He added: "I have to say I think endless talk about a referendum, without any clear description of what the constitutional situation would be after that referendum, is completely irrelevant now to the concerns of most people who, I think, want us to beat this pandemic and come through it strongly together."
He said leaders should focus on the coronavirus pandemic and not "pointless constitutional wrangling when, after all, we had a referendum not so very long ago"
Ms Sturgeon has attacked the PM's mid-pandemic trip as "non-essential", arguing that politicians have a “duty to lead by example” by following the rules of lockdown.
But Mr Johnson rubbished her criticisms, telling reporters he was the prime minister of the whole UK.
Many believe Mr Johnson is making the trip to allay concerns in Westminster that support for independence is growing, with Ms Sturgeon saying there would be grounds for a new referendum if her SNP party wins a majority in the Holyrood elections scheduled for May, as is expected.
Ahead of the trip Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove claimed the prime minister is "popular" in Scotland and said the prime minister's journey there is "absolutely essential".
Michael Gove says Boris Johnson is 'popular' in Scotland:
He told ITV News it is "absolutely essential for the prime minister and all ministers in the UK government to make sure that we're doing everything we can to speed up the rollout of the vaccine programme".
He said the vaccination programme is "just one of a number of programmes that show that the UK government, working with our friends in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, is leading the way out of this crisis.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also backed the prime minister’s visit, insisting he had a right to see what was happening in all parts of the UK.
Sir Keir told LBC Radio: “I’m with the prime minister on this one. He is the prime minister of the UK.
“It’s important that he travels to see what is going on, on the ground.”
Downing Street also defended the prime minister's visit, as "a fundamental part" of his job to "go out and see businesses and communities and people".
The PM's spokesperson added: "These are Covid-related visits. You've seen the prime minister do a number of them over the past few weeks.
"It is obviously important that he is continuing to meet and see those who are on the front line in terms of those who are providing tests, in terms of those who are working so hard to deliver the vaccination plan."
But concerns have been raised that Mr Johnson may not be the best figure to champion the Union, with polls suggesting support has risen amid a backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic and of Brexit, a campaign the Prime Minister fronted, while Scotland backed remaining in the EU.
Mr Gove insisted on BBC Breakfast that the Prime Minister is “a huge asset” for the Union, when challenged over his handling of Brexit and Covid-19.
But SNP deputy leader Keith Brown said the Prime Minister’s trip is evidence that he is in a “panic” about the prospect of another referendum.
The MSP said: “Clearly, Boris Johnson is rattled. By branding this campaign trip as ‘essential’, this is clearly a Prime Minister in panic, who knows the Tories are losing the argument on independence.
“Twenty polls in a row have shown that a majority of voters believe Scotland’s future should be in Scotland’s hands – not Boris Johnson’s.”