JUDGES at Scotland’s highest civil court have rejected an action brought by a Cairneyhill campaigner who sought an order that Holyrood could hold an independence referendum unilaterally. Martin Keatings wanted the Court of Session to rule that the Scottish Parliament had the power to legislate for another indy vote. Lawyers for the activist told Lady Carmichael in January 2021 that they believed the Holyrood Parliament possessed the powers for it to call a referendum. They stated that the Scottish Government did not need the permission of its Westminster counterpart. However, lawyers acting for the UK Government argued that Mr Keatings didn’t have the “standing” to bring the matter to court.
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(c) PA A Court has rejected an appeal by campaigner Martin Keatings seeking a decision on whether Scotland can hold a second independence referendum without Westminster’s consent. Appeal court judges have said it would be “premature, hypothetical and academic” to rule on the matter when the result of the Holyrood election is not known and there is no independence Bill before the Scottish Parliament. Lady Carmichael had previously in January dismissed the action but an appeal to the Inner House of the Court of Session was heard earlier this month, which sought leave to take it to the UK’s highest court.