Scottish independence should be decided by a penalty shoot-out if Boris Johnson continues to refuse a referendum, an SNP MP has suggested.
The SNP’s Chris Stephens jokingly proposed the “alternative” idea given the Tory government’s refusal to allow a second referendum.
During an end of term Commons debate the Glasgow South West MP noted that the Euros football tournament had been raised by several MPs.
Stephens told the Commons: “There are constitutional debates and some people seem to suggest there is deadlock between those who support Scottish independence and those who don’t – and the fact the Government seems unwilling to grant us a referendum.
“Well, I have an alternative idea: if they’re not willing to give us a referendum, perhaps they could give us a penalty shoot-out to decide the issue.”
He added: “We know Scotland’s record at penalty shoot-outs is rather good – we managed to qualify for the Euros winning a penalty shoot-out – and there’s England’s record, which is perhaps somewhat different.”
England reached the Euro 2020 final but lost 3-2 on penalties to Italy.
Scotland, Stephens noted, beat Serbia 5-4 on penalties to qualify for the tournament.
The team failed to progress from their group despite a 0-0 draw with England which, some said, proved that the countries could not be separated.
Stephens went on to criticise some UK Government ministers for engaging in a “culture war” with the England football team, adding: “I think it’s hard not to like this particular England football team.
He said: "I think they’re a credit to themselves and a credit to England, and I think some of the racism that England players got after the finals was completely and utterly despicable and should be condemned by every single member of this House.”
In response, the Government’s deputy chief whip Stuart Andrew said the constitutional penalties had already been taken and the result settled.
Andrew said: “I have to say to him that when he talks about the independence referendum, we gave the people of Scotland a choice. These are not my words: it was a ‘once-in-a-generation opportunity’. They took it, and they decided it was better to stay in the United Kingdom.”
