Granting a second independence referendum in Scotland would be “irresponsible”, according to the Environment Secretary, as counting got under way again to determine whether the SNP has won a majority in Holyrood.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has vowed to plough ahead with plans for a follow-up border poll as her party’s chances of taking more than 65 seats in the Scottish Parliament looked likely to go down to the wire as counting continued on Saturday.
With the SNP leader’s strategy putting her on a collision course with the Prime Minister, who has insisted he will not support an “irresponsible” referendum, senior minister George Eustice said it is the wrong time to be considering another plebiscite.