PM must be ‘put on notice’ over Indyref2, says MP Joanna Cherry

A senior SNP MP is urging party leaders to make the preparations for holding a second vote on independence without waiting for Westminster to consent to such a ballot.

While First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has shied away from holding a consultative referendum, Joanna Cherry QC insisted that “now is the moment to begin the preparations”.

She said on Twitter: “Boris Johnson should be put on notice that we have options & we are not afraid to push forward.”

The SNP home affairs spokeswoman at Westminster suggested Holyrood should pass a Bill to hold a consultative referendum, and then let the PM mount a legal challenge on whether they had the power to do so.

Such a case would be decided at the UK Supreme Court, with Ms Cherry stating: “Many legal experts think we would win the argument.”

Setting out her case on Twitter she said “now is the moment to begin the preparations. To tell Johnson “see you in court” if he continues to block Scotland’s demand for #Indyref2”.

She spoke out as a poll showed a majority of Scots were in favour of Holyrood legislating to hold a referendum, if Westminster continues to block demands for a vote on the continuation of the Union.

The Panelbase survey asked people for their views on what should happen if the UK Government continues to refuse to give permission for an independence vote – asking if the Scottish Parliament should legislate for such a ballot and then allow the courts to decide if it could go ahead.

Of those who expressed an opinion, 56% agreed with such an approach, with 44% opposed.