Prime Minister’s position on a second independence referendum will “crumble”, says Alex Salmond

Alex Salmond - credit: David Anderson

The Prime Minister’s position on a second independence referendum will “crumble” in coming months, according to Alex Salmond.

Speaking on the Andrew Marr Show, Salmond compared Theresa May’s approach with that of her predecessor, David Cameron, who initially held a similar stance, only to row back and agree to the 2014 referendum.

May has refused to back a second referendum, with the PM telling Nicola Sturgeon that “now is not the time” for a second vote, instead arguing that Scots should not vote until the terms of Brexit are known.

But Salmond said May’s claim that Scotland should fully understand the outcome of Brexit talks before considering a fresh attempt to break away was “not going to stand”.

 “Back in the day, I remember David Cameron telling me there wasn't going to be a Scottish referendum but that didn't last against the democratic wishes of the Scottish people and the Scottish Parliament and neither will the Theresa May line.

“It won't necessarily crumble either today or tomorrow or next week, but over the next few months that line will crumble.”

MSPs voted 69 to 59 to back Nicola Sturgeon in seeking permission from the UK Government for a ballot between autumn 2018 to spring of 2019.

Sturgeon has accused the UK Government of ignoring the will of the Scottish people by rejecting what she called a “compromise” option for Scotland to stay in the single market after Brexit.

The Scottish Lib Dems pointed to Salmond arguing for “an independent Scotland in a European context”, rather than full EU membership, as proof the party was using the Brexit vote as an excuse to re-run the 2014 referendum.

Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie said: “The SNP's case for another independence referendum is increasingly feeble with their refusal to guarantee EU membership.

“The SNP can't use the Brexit vote to claim a mandate for another referendum when they refuse to say that they would take us back in. It shows that the EU was just an excuse and that it has only ever been about independence for the SNP.

“The SNP are using EU supporters to push for a referendum but will sell them out to get independence. They would risk Scotland being out of both single markets which would be a disaster”.

On whether there would be a vote, Salmond said that was a matter for the FM.

“Remember self-determination delayed, like justice, is self-determination denied and it just won't stand politically. So my prediction is that the Theresa May position will crumble over time,” he added.