A LABOUR peer who worked under Tony Blair during the early stages of Scottish devolution has said he is "deeply disappointed" that Holyrood has been "hijacked" by the SNP.
George Foulkes, who briefly served as minister of state for Scotland from 2001-2002 and was also an MSP for four years, accused Nicola Sturgeon's party of using the Scottish Parliament as a "campaign for separation instead of a vehicle for improving Scotland".
READ MORE: Indyref2 still on for 2020 despite Boris Johnson's Section 30 refusal
Foulkes, who was described as an "ultra-loyalist" to Blair, took to Twitter to make the claim following yesterday's news that Boris Johnson had rejected the Scottish Government's Section 30 request.
The peer posted: "As one of the architects of the Scottish Parliament I am deeply disappointed it has been hijacked by the SNP as a campaign for separation instead of a vehicle for improving Scotland."
As one of the architects of the Scottish Parliament I am deeply disappointed it has been hijacked by the SNP as a campaign for separation instead of a vehicle for improving Scotland
— George Foulkes (@GeorgeFoulkes) January 14, 2020
The comment received significant backlash, being retweeted more than, and receiving more than, 600 responses.
Murray Foote, the former Daily Record editor and Vow architect who now supports Scottish independence, replied to Foulkes's post.
Hijacked? Jeezypeeps. A political party with the founding principle of seeking independence is elected to govern on a democratic mandate and that, according to a man who sits as an UNELECTED Lord, is a hijacking. Geez peace, George.
— Murray Foote (@murrayf00te) January 14, 2020
He wrote: "Hijacked? Jeezypeeps. A political party with the founding principle of seeking independence is elected to govern on a democratic mandate and that, according to a man who sits as an UNELECTED Lord, is a hijacking. Geez peace, George."
READ MORE: Jess Phillips: Scots 'would not be asking me about devo-max'
And SNP MSP James Dornan also got involved, telling the peer: "They sneakily hijacked it by winning three Holyrood elections in a row and then attempting to fulfill their manifesto pledges. Honestly George, what are they like."
They sneakily hijacked it by winning three Holyrood elections in a row and then attempting to fulfill their manifesto pledges. Honestly George, what are they like🤔
— James Dornan SNP (@glasgowcathcart) January 14, 2020
Labour is currently in the midst of a leadership contest which may see a new position on Scottish independence emerge.
So far only Jess Phillips has visited Scotland as part of her campaign and announced she is a "passionate Unionist" who rejects the idea that indyref2 should be held.
READ MORE: Lisa Nandy proposes 'international commission' against independence
Rebecca Long-Bailey has also got involved, saying she would not stand in the way of a second independence referendum being held.
Lisa Nandy is the only other candidate to state her position, suggesting she would launch an "international commission" led by and for the Scottish people to show examples of times social justice won over "divisive nationalism".
Sir Keir Starmer and Emily Thornberry are both yet to set out their positions.
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