Andy Burnham rules out second independence referendum until there is majority support from Scottish people

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has ruled out a second independence referendum in Scotland – unless the majority of Scots support the vote.

Burnham was facing only his second round of Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, when the subject of Scottish sovereignty was raised by Dundee MP Chris Law.

The SNP MP raised the issue in the House of Commons, linking Scottish independence to the Good Friday Agreement.

Law said: “The Prime Minister stated that he is, and I quote ‘very aware of every word in the Good Friday Agreement’ and will stick to it 100% as Prime Minister.

“So he will therefore know that the Northern Ireland Act contains a provision for a referendum on leaving the United Kingdom, but no equivalent provision exists within the law for Scotland.

“Does the Prime Minister recognise the people of Scotland have the same right, the equal right to choose their own future and the conditions for a second independence referendum should be set out in law?”

The provision for Northern Ireland leaving the UK is contained in the Good Friday Agreement, and a referendum, ordered by the Northern Ireland secretary, would be called if it was likely to be passed.

To trigger a second Scottish independence referendum, the UK Government would need to issue a Section 30 order.

Burnham responded: “I am not aware that there is a majority of public support for another [Scottish] referendum. And until that changes Mr Speaker, there won’t be one.”