This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-38839103
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Sir Michael Fallon: SNP 'need to forget' indyref2 | Sir Michael Fallon: SNP 'need to forget' indyref2 |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The UK defence secretary has told BBC Scotland that the SNP should "forget" about a second independence referendum. | The UK defence secretary has told BBC Scotland that the SNP should "forget" about a second independence referendum. |
| However, Sir Michael Fallon would not be drawn on newspaper reports that he had suggested the UK government would block a referendum. | However, Sir Michael Fallon would not be drawn on newspaper reports that he had suggested the UK government would block a referendum. |
| The comments appeared to contradict the stance of Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson. | The comments appeared to contradict the stance of Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson. |
| SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon tweeted that Sir Michael had "seriously backpedalled" on the issue. | SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon tweeted that Sir Michael had "seriously backpedalled" on the issue. |
| The Scottish first minister has said an independence referendum was increasingly likely in the wake of the Brexit vote, but she would need the UK government's permission in order to hold a second legally binding vote. | The Scottish first minister has said an independence referendum was increasingly likely in the wake of the Brexit vote, but she would need the UK government's permission in order to hold a second legally binding vote. |
| Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme, Sir Michael said the SNP "need to forget all that stuff and get on with what they were elected to do." | Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme, Sir Michael said the SNP "need to forget all that stuff and get on with what they were elected to do." |
| But he did not directly answer questions on whether or not the UK government would allow a vote. | But he did not directly answer questions on whether or not the UK government would allow a vote. |
| He said: "We don't see the need for a referendum - this is a diversion. | He said: "We don't see the need for a referendum - this is a diversion. |
| "What the Scottish government should be focusing on is what it was elected to do, which is to improve schools standards, get to grips with the problems in Scottish hospitals and reverse the serious rise in unemployment." | "What the Scottish government should be focusing on is what it was elected to do, which is to improve schools standards, get to grips with the problems in Scottish hospitals and reverse the serious rise in unemployment." |
| The minister urged the SNP to focus on their "day job" and "not get into the theology of whether or not a second referendum should be held". | |
| The Herald newspaper said it had asked Sir Michael whether the UK government would facilitate a referendum during the lifetime of this parliament. | The Herald newspaper said it had asked Sir Michael whether the UK government would facilitate a referendum during the lifetime of this parliament. |
| 'Disastrous move' | 'Disastrous move' |
| It quoted the Conservative politician as replying: "No, forget it. The respect agenda is two way. | |
| "She [Ms Sturgeon] is constantly asking us to respect the SNP government, but she has to respect the decision of the Scotland to stay inside the UK in 2014 and the decision of the UK to leave the EU. | "She [Ms Sturgeon] is constantly asking us to respect the SNP government, but she has to respect the decision of the Scotland to stay inside the UK in 2014 and the decision of the UK to leave the EU. |
| "Respect works both ways." | "Respect works both ways." |
| Sir Michael was speaking ahead of a visit to Midlothian engineering firm MacTaggart Scott designs, at which he said the Treasury had approved the initial business case for a training school for naval crews working on the UK's nuclear submarines. | |
| The submarine school would be built at the Faslane naval base on the Clyde, which will be home to all 11 Royal Navy submarines from 2020 in a move which will see the number of people employed there rise from 6,800 to 8,200. | |
| Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson opposes a second referendum being held - but said last year that she did not believe the UK government should block one. | Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson opposes a second referendum being held - but said last year that she did not believe the UK government should block one. |
| Ms Sturgeon tweeted that there had been "serious backpedalling from Michael Fallon on GMS on blocking #indyref2. Must have realised what a disastrous move it would be for Tories." | Ms Sturgeon tweeted that there had been "serious backpedalling from Michael Fallon on GMS on blocking #indyref2. Must have realised what a disastrous move it would be for Tories." |
| A spokesman for the first minister added: "Any Tory bid to block a referendum would be a democratic outrage, but would only succeed in boosting support for both a referendum and for independence itself - something which the prime minister has previously indicated she understands all too well. | A spokesman for the first minister added: "Any Tory bid to block a referendum would be a democratic outrage, but would only succeed in boosting support for both a referendum and for independence itself - something which the prime minister has previously indicated she understands all too well. |
| "Our mandate is unequivocal, with a manifesto commitment which makes explicitly clear that the Scottish Parliament should have the right to decide on an independence referendum if Scotland faces being taken out of the EU against our will. | "Our mandate is unequivocal, with a manifesto commitment which makes explicitly clear that the Scottish Parliament should have the right to decide on an independence referendum if Scotland faces being taken out of the EU against our will. |
| "Michael Fallon's comments betray how rattled the Tories are about Scotland - but his frantic backpedalling when pressed on the issue this morning shows that he understands what a disastrous strategy it would be for them to try and deny Scotland's democratic right." | "Michael Fallon's comments betray how rattled the Tories are about Scotland - but his frantic backpedalling when pressed on the issue this morning shows that he understands what a disastrous strategy it would be for them to try and deny Scotland's democratic right." |