Labour Would Not Block Second Scottish Independence Vote, John McDonnell Tells Iain Dale

7 August 2019, 11:26

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell told LBC's Iain Dale that a future Labour government would not block a second Scottish independence referendum as "that's democracy".

In an interview with LBC's Iain Dale at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Mr McDonnell said any decision about holding a vote would be up to the Scottish Parliament.

He said: "It will be for the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish people to decide that.

"They will take a view about whether they want another referendum. Nicola Sturgeon said by late next year or the beginning of 2021."

He added: "We would not block something like that. We would let the Scottish people decide. That's democracy.

"There are other views within the party but that's our view."

However Labour MP for Edinburgh South Ian Murray attacked Mr McDonnell's comments.

He said: "These are utterly irresponsible comments from John McDonnell that betray our party's values."

"The Labour Party is an internationalist party founded on a vision of solidarity and we should never seek to appease nationalists, whether they be for Brexit or Scottish independence, who want to divide communities and people."

On Good Morning Scotland, the MP said: "John McDonnell must clarify his unhelpful freelancing immediately."

Iain Dale All-Talk is at the Gilded Balloon at the Edinburgh Fringe all this week with big daily guests including John McDonnell, Sir John Curtice and Sadiq Khan. Get tickets

Talking To Theresa May Was Soul-Destroying, Nicola Sturgeon Tells Iain Dale