Updated / Thursday, 28 Jan 2021
16:36
Boris Johnson is set to highlight the British government s role in dealing with the pandemic in Scotland
Boris Johnson has said arguments about a referendum on Scottish independence were completely irrelevant as the UK battled the coronavirus pandemic.
The British Prime Minister again insisted the 2014 vote was a once-in-a-generation referendum and there was no advantage in pointless constitutional wrangling .
Amid signs of rising support for independence and ahead of May s Holyrood elections, Mr Johnson used his visit to Scotland to highlight the nation s contribution to the UK-wide fight against Covid-19.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Mr Johnson s visit was not essential during the current lockdowns, arguing that politicians have a duty to lead by example as the public live under strict restrictions.
29 Jan 2021 / 00:01 H. Scotland gov t wants 2nd independence vote after Brexit Conservative Johnson delivers blunt message Scottish nationalists question Johnson s trip Spokesman defends visit as fundamental part of PM s job Gove says Johnson is the best frontman for united UK (Adds Johnson s comments)
By Andrew MacAskill and Guy Faulconbridge
LONDON, Jan 28 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Boris Johnson told Scottish nationalists on Thursday to stop talking endlessly about a new independence referendum, saying most people wanted to see Britain bouncing back more strongly together after the COVID-19 pandemic eases.
On a trip to Scotland to try to stem growing support for another referendum, Johnson opted for a blunt message, saying independence supporters had their chance in 2014 in a vote they had agreed at the time was a once-in-a-generation event .
Priti Patel has defended the decision to leave London for a photo opportunity with police patrols in Essex despite the global pandemic.
The Home Secretary said it was her statutory duty despite banning holidays and telling the country to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives .
Ms Patel said it was wrong to compare her journey to Hertfordshire and the Prime Minister s trip to Scotland with foreign travel made by so-called influencers.
She has repeatedly criticised those who appeared to be using their fame on social media as an excuse to go on holiday.
She spent just over an hour in Bishop s Stortford on Thursday afternoon, where she met six new recruits, a chief constable, neighbourhood beat officers and local Tory MP Julie Marson.
Earlier this week, Scottish National Party member Neale Hanvey described UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s upcoming trip to Scotland as a futile attempt to strengthen.
Boris Johnson has a-wooing gone in Scotland adopting his best cheeky chappie mode
28 January 2021 • 9:30pm
Boris Johnson is shown the Lighthouse Laboratory used for processing PCR coronavirus test samples, during a visit to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital
Credit: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images Europe
With Valentine’s Day looming, the Prime Minister embarked on a love-bombing campaign North of the border. His mission? To save the Union.
Looking as happy with a puppy with two tails, or perhaps a politician with an excuse to be photographed wearing a lab coat or high-vis jacket, Boris Johnson went a-wooing in his best “cheeky chappie” mode.