Michael Gove rejects predictions of second independence referendum

Michael Gove - Credit: PA

Michael Gove has rejected predictions the Brexit vote will lead to a second referendum on Scottish independence.

Although 52 per cent of voters in the UK voted to leave the EU, in Scotland 62 per cent voted to remain.

Nicola Sturgeon responded, on the morning of the result, to announce she had instructed the Scottish Government to prepare the legislation required to hold another independence referendum.

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But Tory leadership contender Gove rejected the idea, saying “I don't think we're going to have a second independence referendum.”

Speaking at his leadership launch, Aberdeen-born Gove said he was the best placed candidate to bring the UK back together after a divisive referendum campaign.

He said: “If she (Nicola Sturgeon) wants a prime minister who understands and believes in Scotland - and indeed somebody who has got personal friends in the SNP, who include SNP MPs, people I've worked with for 20 years - then I can do that.

“I can do it because the one thing I will want to do is make the United Kingdom work and I will treat with respect those people who've got a mandate in Scotland.”

Responding to questions over the process of exiting the EU, he said he would only trigger Article 50 “when good and ready" but pledged it would be done before the end of the year.

In the run up to the referendum the Scottish Leave campaign argued a Brexit vote would mean new powers in areas such as agriculture being transferred to the Scottish Parliament.

Gove said: “We are taking back control of policy areas like agriculture and fishing that are vital to the economies of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and the Scottish Parliament and devolved assemblies can enjoy new powers in these and other areas.

“I think we need to explore how we can develop a fairly-funded, flexible and robust Union for our new circumstances - and I will work across political divides, with respect, to build that new Union.”

Gove has served as the UK Justice Secretary since the 2015 general election.