The First Minister wrote to the Prime Minister last week making the request, essentially as a formality, as Downing Street has repeatedly ruled out consenting to another independence referendum. Sturgeon has already taken the issue of whether Holyrood can legally legislate for indyref2 to the High Court. If the court rules that the Scottish Parliament cannot do so, it intends to use the next General Election as a de facto referendum, with a majority vote for the SNP providing a mandate. READ MORE: Boris Johnson remains in power as ministerial resignations mount As dozens of ministers and cabinet ministers resigned from the UK government on Wednesday, and the Prime Minister faced double criticism for his handling of Chris Pincher’s allegations at PMQs and the Liaison Committee, Johnson’s response to the Scottish First Minister was published. “I have carefully considered the arguments you presented for devolving power from the UK Parliament to the Scottish Parliament to hold another independence referendum. “As our country faces unprecedented challenges at home and abroad, I cannot agree that now is the time to return to a question that was clearly answered by the people of Scotland in 2014.” He continued: “Our shared priorities must be to respond effectively to the global cost of living challenge, to support the NHS and our public services as they recover from the massive disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic and to play our leading role in the international response to Russian aggression in Ukraine. These are common challenges across the UK which deserve our full attention. “People rightly expect the UK and Scottish Governments to work together in their interests – and we are doing that, as evidenced by our productive call on Monday afternoon. We are working together on measures to reduce the cost of living and I hope that we will soon have the opportunity, together with colleagues from the Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive, to discuss further action at the next Prime Minister and devolved heads of government council. “Regarding Covid-19, we are maintaining the close cooperation that began during the acute phase of the pandemic as we continue to navigate the next phase. On Ukraine, I am grateful for your continued support for the UK’s response to Putin’s brutality. The Scottish Government makes a significant contribution to our humanitarian response through the innovative devolved pathway from the donor government to the Homes for Ukraine programme. “The Scottish Government’s £65 million contribution to our further military support to Ukraine will help our brave allies continue their fight. In addition, our fellow ministers are strengthening and deepening their cooperation at all levels through the new inter-ministerial groups. “On all fronts, we want to achieve much more for the people we serve by continuing to work together as partners.” Sturgeon responded by saying the letter was one of his last acts as Prime Minister as pressure mounted for him to leave. Two cabinet members appointed less than 24 hours earlier, Nadhim Zahawi and Michelle Donelan, were reported to be among the group of ministers telling Johnson to resign. “I just got it from Johnson (one of his last acts as prime minister?),” Sturgeon said. “To be clear, Scotland will have the opportunity to choose independence – hopefully in a referendum on 19 October 2023, but, if not, through a general election. Scottish democracy will not be held captive by this or any Prime Minister.” READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon’s response to Tories who want a fresh vote for Boris Johnson is timely The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment. The letter came after the First Minister and Johnson spoke in a brief telephone conversation on Monday in which they discussed “a range of issues”. As for her push for a second referendum, she told the Prime Minister that Holyrood was “ready and willing to negotiate” steps to hold another vote, but said if it was blocked it would not mean voters north of the border “will not have the democratic right of choice”.
