THE Prime Minister reportedly rejected a plan to invite Nicola Sturgeon to UK Cabinet meetings.

The Financial Times reported that Michael Gove put forward the idea, floating it as a way to suppress support for Scottish independence by making it appear that Westminster is listening to Holyrood.

Support for independence is at 54%, according to recent polls. Since the figures were published UK Cabinet ministers have visited Scotland five times, government figures have appeared in more Scottish media and Boris Johnson is reportedly planning a two-week holiday north of the Border.

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However, according to the newspaper, involving the First Minister in the Cabinet was too much for the Tory leader.

A UK Government source said: “He doesn’t like the idea of Sturgeon being seen as on the same political level as him.”

It comes after several polls throughout the coronavirus crisis have shown people have significantly more trust in Sturgeon than Johnson. In Scotland, there is about a 99% difference between their approval ratings.

After recent visits from Johnson, Alok Sharma, Rishi Sunak and Gove, yesterday the UK Government sent Scottish Secretary Alister Jack to Edinburgh to open its new hub.

Jack said Queen Elizabeth House, located near Waverley Station, “epitomised” ministers’ support for the Union.