BORIS Johnson has said an independence referendum is nowhere near the “top of his agenda” during a two-day visit to Scotland.
The Prime Minister was quizzed by political journalists during a virtual media huddle this afternoon, whilst he was on a ship in the North Sea visiting an offshore wind farm.
Johnson dodged multiple questions on the details of a second independence referendum but admitted any constitutional change was “about as far from the top of my agenda as it is possible to be”.
It comes as the Prime Minister was also asked about what would constitute the “settled will of Scots”, after Michael Gove’s comments, but declined to give an answer or any examples.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson in Scotland: Glasgow reacts to Prime Minister's visit
Asked if there will be a second independence referendum during coronavirus recovery, Johnson said: “Well, I think I’ve said several times now within the course of this discussion that I think that the focus should be on economic recovery and constitutional change is about as far from the top of my agenda as it is possible to be.”
Earlier this week we told how Gove said that an independence referendum will go ahead if it is the “settled will” of voters in Scotland.
Johnson made the comments during a visit to an offshore wind farm
The Prime Minister was asked if he agreed with Gove, and what measurements would be used to test this.
Johnson said: “I think the priority for our country as a whole is bouncing back together, working our way forwards from this pandemic together, and I think the opportunities are absolutely phenomenal.
"But the emphasis, I think, has got to be on economic recovery and I think constitutional change, it's not top of my agenda, let me put it that way."
Pressed on whether this would be polls, elections and to give a precise definition, Johnson dodged the question.
READ MORE: Michael Gove: Independence referendum will go ahead if it's 'settled will' of Scots
He said: "I think I wouldn't draw any conclusions about what my views are on that from what I've just said.
"My view is that the priority is bouncing back strongly from COVID, working together on that, continuing to deliver the vaccine, and by the way, delivering on other top priorities of the British people.”
Johnson said indyref 2 is "not at the top of his agenda"
And, probed on his views that the SNP conference will deal with matters of independence and whether or not the SNP should be focussing on the issue or not, Johnson said he was looking forward to “continuing our work with the government in Scotland”.
Pressed on whether Nicola Sturgeon should ditch anything related to an independence referendum at the upcoming party conference, Johnson said: “I would not presume to advise another leader of another party how to conduct his or her conference but what we’re focussed on jobs and economic rebound, and green economic growth, that’s what’s so exciting about today.”
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