Another day, another gaffe as Corbyn is accused of destroying his own party after supporting a second Scottish referendum

  • Labour leader sparked fury after saying second referendum would be ‘fine’
  • Scottish Labour MP Ian Murray made clear his opposition to independence
  • Nicola Sturgeon has hinted she wants second vote as soon as September 2018

By BRENDAN CARLIN, POLITICAL REPORTER FOR THE MAIL ON SUNDAY

Published: | Updated:

Labour is prepared to fight to keep Scotland in the UK for a second time, with leader Jeremy Corbyn saying it is 'absolutely fine' for another vote to be held

Labour is prepared to fight to keep Scotland in the UK for a second time, with leader Jeremy Corbyn saying it is 'absolutely fine' for another vote to be held

Jeremy Corbyn was last night accused of destroying his own party after declaring he would not oppose a second Scottish independence referendum.

The Labour leader sparked fury among his own MPs after saying a second independence poll would be ‘absolutely fine’ – even though Labour in Scotland is fiercely opposed to such a move.

Mr Corbyn’s surprise intervention was last night branded by critics as a ‘massive propaganda coup’ for the Scottish Nationalists’ ambitions of forcing a second vote in the wake of the Brexit decision.

Ian Murray, the party’s only MP in Scotland after the SNP landslide at the 2015 General Election, angrily accused Mr Corbyn of ‘destroying the party that so many need.’

During a visit to Glasgow, Mr Corbyn said: ‘If a referendum is held then it is absolutely fine, it should be held. I don’t think it’s the job of Westminster or the Labour Party to prevent people holding referenda.’

Mr Corbyn said he did not think that Westminster should seek to block another independence referendum if Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon insists on holding one

Mr Corbyn said he did not think that Westminster should seek to block another independence referendum if Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon insists on holding one

However, Mr Murray, who quit the Shadow Cabinet last year in protest at Mr Corbyn’s leadership, tweeted: ‘Independence would be disaster for Scotland and my constituents.’

A source close to Mr Corbyn hit back: ‘Westminster blocking a second referendum would give the SNP exactly what they want – more grievance.’

The row broke out amid reports that Theresa May is determined not to accede to SNP demands for a second referendum until after the UK has actually left the EU.

However, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has hinted she wants the vote as soon as September 2018.

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