THE Scottish Tory leader has been warned to “stop lying” about the contents of the Edinburgh Agreement after repeating his claim that the document stated the 2014 referendum would be a “once-in-a-generation event”.
Just days after becoming Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross was accused of “trying to rewrite history” for making the claim – but last night, speaking to the BBC, he said it again.
The Edinburgh Agreement transferred power from Westminster to the Scottish Parliament to ensure the 2014 independence referendum was legally watertight.
However, it did not include a time limit on further independence referendums.
READ MORE: Douglas Ross ‘rewriting history’ with indyref2 claim
Speaking to The Nine, Ross said: “I agree with everyone who signed the Edinburgh Agreement for the 2014 independence referendum that they would respect the result of that vote just six years ago, and it would be a once-in-a-generation event.”
His latest comment on the agreement prompted anger among pro-independence politicians, with the SNP’s Ian Blackford telling the MP: “There is nothing in the Edinburgh declaration that says it is once in a generation [Douglas Ross] so stop lying about it.
“You have become like [Boris Johnson], telling the truth has become separated from reality. You are losing the argument, this is desperate stuff.”
Tory MSP Annie Wells then stepped in to tell the SNP’s Westminster leader: “Come on Ian … you must remember the Edinburgh agreement that Nicola and Alex signed. I can jog your memory if you like?”
As the Edinburgh Agreement is freely available to read in full online, many Yes supporters replied to the MSP with screenshots of its text – which does not include a once-in-a-generation guarantee.
Let’s deal with the facts rather than Tory lies. No such thing in the agreement as you can see. Perhaps an apology due? https://t.co/LNpyAnURyM pic.twitter.com/Y0NV2Fe8MP
— Ian Blackford (@Ianblackford_MP) September 3, 2020
Linda Fabiani reminded Wells that the Smith Agreement of 2014 also includes a section reading: “It is agreed that nothing in this report prevents Scotland becoming an independent country in the future should the people of Scotland so choose.”
Tory MSP Murdo Fraser then got involved, insisting that the signatories to the Edinburgh Agreement said it was a “once-in-a-generation event – on many occasions”. He demanded Blackford apologise.
Many replied to Fraser reminding him that statements are not legally binding – and that his own comment proved the point that there is no such guarantee in the Edinburgh Agreement.
Writer Kieran Hurley told the MSP: “I'm not sure ‘assertions repeatedly made in the campaign’ is a strong hand for the Better Together lot Murdo unless you fancy securing our membership of the EU somehow.”
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