Humza Yousaf makes indyref2 demand to Rishi Sunak

Humza Yousaf called on the UK Government to grant a second independence referendum during his first face-to-face meeting with Rishi Sunak.  

The First Minister asked the Prime Minister to “respect the democratic wishes of Scotland's Parliament” by granting an independence referendum by issuing a Section 30 order under the Scotland Act. 

Yousaf also accused Sunak’s government of “attacks on devolution”. This follows comments made by Tory peer Lord Frost last week who suggested “rolling back” on some devolved matters.   

He described Foreign Secretary James Cleverly’s attempt to limit the Scottish Government's overseas activity as a “clumsy intervention”, while urging exemption from the Internal Market Act for the Deposit Return Scheme “within weeks”. 

Before returning to Scotland today, Yousaf is expected to meet with the SNP’s Westminster group. 

Commenting on the meeting, a spokesperson for the First Minister said: "The First Minister and the Prime Minister met this evening. The FM raised the cost-of-living crisis and rising energy bills being suffered by households across Scotland. 

"He was pleased that the Prime Minister committed to fairness in how the Scotch whisky industry is treated by the UK Government. He now needs to deliver on that. 

"The First Minister raised concerns around UK Government attacks on devolution, including the Foreign Secretary's clumsy intervention on Scottish Government activity abroad and comments on devolution from Lord Frost. He also once again pressed for an exemption from the Internal Market Act for the Deposit Return Scheme to be granted within weeks. 

"The FM also made clear that he expects the PM to respect the democratic wishes of Scotland's Parliament by granting a Section 30 order."