Jeremy Corbyn refuses to rule out allowing second independence referendum

Jeremy Corbyn has refused to rule out allowing a second referendum on Scottish independence if he becomes Prime Minister.

Speaking to the BBC ahead of the Labour conference, the Labour leader said that “things will be very different in Scotland with an ally in Westminster like a Labour government”, but added that if faced with demands for a second vote then he would "decide at the time".

Corbyn pledged to establish a £20bn transformation fund and increase revenue spending by £3bn if his party wins the next election, while outlining plans to vote down any ‘no deal’ Brexit in parliament.

Asked if he would consent to a second vote on independence, Corbyn said: "I'm not ruling out – I'm just pointing out the reality.

"We don't want another referendum, we don't think another referendum is a good idea, and we'll be very clear on why we don't think it's a good idea.

"We think what's more important is dealing with child poverty, housing problems and lack of investment in Scotland - 200,000 more children going into poverty has to be dealt with. A referendum will not solve that."

But the comments came under fire from both the Conservatives and Lib Dems.

Adam Tomkins said: "Every time Jeremy Corbyn talks about Scotland he gives yet another concession to the SNP.

"Jeremy Corbyn does not care about Scotland and has no interest in standing up to the nationalists, as this latest gaffe proves."

Meanwhile Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie described the comments as “extraordinary”.

He said: “So many people with moderate and progressive views will be horrified by this careless attitude towards the UK. Liberal Democrats are opposed to independence and opposed to another divisive independence referendum.

“The case against independence is even stronger since the SNP’s Growth Commission admitted what we said about independence in 2014 was right. Brexit also shows that breaking up long standing unions is costly and hard to do.”