Boris Johnson has been branded a Donald Trump-style democracy denier for considering constitutional reforms to counter SNP demands for independence.
The SNP swiftly attacked plans for a "Constitution. Democracy and Rights Commission" after it was reported that Downing Street is working up an independence alternative if, as expected, Nicola Sturgeon leads a pro-referendum majority in Holyrood after May.
The move comes as Boris Johnson’s advisers have concluded that the Prime Minister cannot simply say no to demands for a second referendum for fear of driving support for a break-away even higher.
Even if there is a pro-referendum majority in Holyrood a legal vote cannot be held without a so-called Section 30 order from the UK government. Until now Johnson has said Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon’s “once in a generation” commitment at the 2014 referendum rules out the possibility of second vote in the near future.
But now Downing Street is said to be canvassing Ministers for a Royal Commission on the constitution that would look at the governance of the whole of the UK, not just Scotland.
The idea, floated by Times columnist James Forsyth, who has close links to the Tory government, echoes Keir Starmer’s announcement of a Constitutional Commission headed by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Labour plans to develop devo-max options for Scotland ahead of the May election but the Tories are said to be holding back until the voting is over.
Kirsten Oswald MP, the SNP Westminster Deputy Leader, levelled accusations of Trumpism at Johnson, describing him as democracy denier.
She said: “No amount of constitutional tinkering would protect Scotland from Brexit or the Tory power grab - only independence can do that. If this is being proposed by the Tories it is all the more reason to distrust it. People in Scotland won’t be fooled.”
Oswald added: “Scotland has a democratic right to determine our own future and a growing majority support independence. Boris Johnson cannot deny democracy any more than Donald Trump.”
