Blundering Boris Johnson has caused fury after reportedly claiming devolution has been a “disaster” in Scotland.
The Prime Minister was condemned after telling MPs Holyrood had been “Tony Blair’s biggest mistake”.
Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: “Worth bookmarking these PM comments for the next time Tories say they’re not a threat to the powers of the Scottish Parliament - or, even more incredibly, that they support devolving more powers. The only way to protect & strengthen @ScotParl is with independence.”
On Johnson’s watch, support for independence has soared.
His handling of the pandemic has been criticised and his poll ratings in Scotland are dismal.
Scottish Tories are worried the Johnson effect will result in heavy losses at the Holyrood elections.
It has now been reported in the Sun that Johnson blasted the creation of the Parliament during a recent zoom meeting with Tory MPs.
He is said to have described devolution as having been a “disaster north of the border”.
He also reportedly told MPs he did not currently “see a case” for handing more powers from Westminster to the nations.
It came after claims at the weekend that Johnson is preparing a softer line on Scotland.
Some senior Tories believe his outright rejection of indyref2 is helping the SNP and they want a new approach.
His Scottish Secretary Alister Jack recently appeared to rule out indyref2 for up to 40 years. He later said he was being jocular.
Scottish Labour’s Shadow Constitution Minister, Anas Sarwar, said: “Boris Johnson has been a disaster, not devolution.
“Devolution is one of Labour’s proudest achievements and we will always fight for a strong Scotland in the UK.”
STUC general secretary Roz Foyer said: “PM again confirms total lack of respect for the democratic will of the Scottish people.”
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford said: “Oh dear oh dear so much for the new softer respectful approach, well that has not lasted. @BorisJohnson attitude explains the power grab of the internal market bill, devolution to be dismantled our Parliament under attack. We can stop his wrecking ball, it is called independence.”
Douglas Ross, the Scottish Tory leader, also blasted Johnson on Twitter: “Devolution has not been a disaster. The SNP’s non-stop obsession with another referendum - above jobs, schools and everything else - has been a disaster.”
Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton said: “Boris Johnson isn’t a guardian of the Union, he is a clear and present danger to it.”
