THE SNP’s depute leader has challenged the interim chief of the Scottish Conservatives to a public debate on a second independence referendum.
Keith Brown proposed the idea after Tory Jackson Carlaw sent him an open letter asking for clarification on his position regarding indyref2.
The day previously, Brown had stated: “My position is clear – the deeply undemocratic stance of the UK Government in denying the mandate for indyref and refusing a S30 order should not prevent the Scottish Government seeking one and planning on the basis of winning that case.”
Nicola Sturgeon, while criticising the "anti-democratic" Tories, later reaffirmed her insistence that a second plebiscite be launched on the same legal basis as the 2014 vote, with a transfer of power under a Section 30 order.
READ MORE: Yes Scotland chair: FM right not to give away Plan B to enemies of independence
Carlaw made his appeal for clarity on Twitter, posting an image of the letter sent to Brown alongside the message: “Mr Brown needs to clear things up: does he stand by his comments from last month, backing a so-called ‘wildcat’ referendum? Or does he now back his leader’s apparent position?”
Today I’ve written to Keith Brown asking him to clarify his position on a 2nd independence referendum.
— Jackson Carlaw MSP (@Carlaw4Eastwood) March 8, 2019
Mr Brown needs to clear things up: does he stand by his comments from last month, backing a so-called ‘wildcat’ referendum? Or does he now back his leader’s apparent position? pic.twitter.com/dkjzfAz6T1
The SNP depute leader replied directly, proposing a public debate on the day the UK is scheduled to leave the European Union.
“Hi Jackson, thanks for your letter,” Brown tweeted. “If you’re genuinely confused by my comments on this issue, I’m more than happy to discuss these in detail and at length.
“How about a public debate, with an impartial Chair? How does 29th of March sound? Let me know if your are willing. Keith.”
Hi Jackson, thanks for your letter. If you’re genuinely confused by my comments on this issue, I m more than happy to discuss these in detail and at length. How about a public debate, with an impartial Chair? How does 29th of March sound? Let me know if your are willing. Keith
— Keith Brown MSP (@KeithBrownSNP) March 8, 2019
As of yet, there has been no response from Carlaw.
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