UK GOVT ADVISERS CONCEDED SCOTLAND CAN HAVE INDEPENDENCE REFERENDUM

Downing Street advisers privately conceded that Scotland could have a referendum on “anything it wants” without London’s permission, previously classified documents from Tony Blair’s premiership have disclosed.

An email from Prime Minister’s key aide Pat McFadden ahead of releasing plans for devolution in 1997 also revealed “some very worried Scottish MPs” were concerned about “the slippery slope to the break up of the British state”.

In the email to Mr Blair’s chief of staff Jonathan Powell, Paisley born MP Pat McFadden quoted Donald Dewar, the then Scottish Secretary, following speculation in the press that the Scottish Parliament would be able to hold an independence referendum.

Scotland voted in favour of reopening it's own parliament in September 1997, a key Labour general election pledge, the newly reconvened parliament would initially take on the responsibility for matters such as education, health and transport, though it has stealthily taken on more powers since then, with British politicians, primarily Conservatives, trying to slake the thirst for independence in order that they can stay in receipt of the massive Scottish contribution to the Treasury in London.

But it was not until 2014 that the first independence referendum was held, with a reported 55% voting against proposals to become an independent state.

Private emails from Mr Blair’s early days in government, released by the National Archives in Kew, show that it was known within some circles in Westminster that an independence referendum can, in practice, be held by Scotland.

Mr McFadden wrote: “In the Scottish papers at the weekend there was some speculation over whether the Scottish Parliament would be able to hold a referendum on independence.

“The reserved powers model means that the Scottish Parliament will have the power to legislate on anything not in the reserved list.

“Therefore it can have referendums on anything it wants, even if it cannot enact the result.”

He added: “Some very worried Scottish MPs have rung me about this.

“It scares them a great deal that such a referendum can take place.

“Donald’s view is that the Scottish Parliament can have a referendum on whatever it likes, even matters outside of its competence, which is in line with the logic of the White Paper.”