Scottish government urged to “confess once and for everything” about whether he has power legislate for a second independence referendum in Holyrood.
limited selection of legal advice was published on Tuesday after a long freedom of information battle with Scotsman newspaper, but key question of whether SNP government it was recommended to put forward check for a second referendum on independence is within the competence of Scottish parliament not included in disclosure.
Holyrood’s opposition parties denounced the “dark secret approach” after limited publication was forced by a government decree. information commissioner, who claimed to be “exceptional” public interest in council disclosure.
Double page document shows that the ministers were told that they could work on policy preparation for a second the independence of the vote and also test question with Election Committee.
Question of can the SNP legislate for a new the referendum irritated constitutional experts with party published its roadmap second vote in January 2021 Installation out how – if Westminster continues to refuse a necessary transfer of powers for legal vote – Holyrood will still publish a law on holding a referendum.
This will cause an almost inevitable legal challenge decide on a referendum on in union considered a reserved matter and thus not within the purview of Holyrood, up in Supreme Court. But despite information commissioner’s order remains it is not clear which legal council is Scottish government received on this business.
Scottish Labor spokesperson Sarah Boyak hailed the “rare win for transparency, but added: “This advice leaves big unanswered questions.”
“Another referendum is the SNP’s answer to everything in the world, so public should not be stored in darkness on legitimacy of It. SNP dragged this circus out for long enough they need come to your senses once and for everything,” she said.
“We can’t keep wasting time and energy stuck in quagmire of constitutional disputes and cover up when people are struggling to make ends meet and our public services are on the verge of breaking.”
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Scottish government claimed to give advice public violates legal professional privilege after being asked to do so by a Scot for any legal advice to ministers or provided by the public service on topic of a second independence referendum, but information Commissioner agreed with public interest was significant enough to overcome these concerns.
Scottish information Commissioner Daren Fitzhenry argued that the Scottish government decision publish legal advice regarding Alex Salmond’s legal case. review after significant crossing party pressure. also demonstrated that there were exceptions when such advice should be published.
Scottish Conservative Shadow Cabinet secretary for constitution, Donald Cameron, said: “It’s nice that the SNP has finally been dragged into the issuance of this information who tried to hide from public. However, it still leaves unanswered questions about how they plan to continue their promotion for a second divisive referendum. The gloomy, secretive approach must end.”
