Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross has challenged the First Minister to debate SNP plans for a second vote on independence with him in a head-to-head clash this month.
He laid down the gauntlet to Nicola Sturgeon as he accused the SNP leader of putting her party before the pandemic by planning for a “reckless and irresponsible” vote on Scotland’s future in the UK.
Calling on Ms Sturgeon to debate the referendum plans with him, Mr Ross said: “If the First Minister is too feart to get involved in this debate, she has to explain why.
“Why does she believe this plan should be rolled out right now but she is not willing to defend it in public?”
Douglas Ross challenges Nicola Sturgeon to debate on Scottish independence
The Scottish Conservatives leader said the First Minister should explain why Nationalists are pursuing a referendum when the country is still in the grip of a public health crisis
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He s in danger of making himself look a bit silly Nicola Sturgeon responds to Douglas Ross challenge He s in danger of making himself look a bit silly Nicola Sturgeon responds to Douglas Ross debate challenge Nicola Sturgeon said Douglas Ross is at risk of looking “silly” after he challenged the First Minister to a debate on independence and a second referendum. The Scottish Tory leader said that after the SNP route map to independence he wanted a debate with Ms Sturgeon who he said should be putting the county’s response to the Covid pandemic first. He said “The SNP are not holding back. They’ve taken the gloves off and they’re going full-throttle for indyref2 right now.
Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross challenges Nicola Sturgeon to referendum debate The leader of the Scottish Tories has challenged Nicola Sturgeon to a debate on independence. Douglas Ross MP said his call was in response the SNP’s roadmap to independence’ and suggestions from senior SNP figures that a referendum could happen this year. Both Michael Russell, Constitution Secretary, and Ian Blackford, Westminster leader, have said a second referendum could happen in 2021 after an SNP Holyrood election victory in May. Mr Ross said: “We are living under a national lockdown and in the middle of a global pandemic. “The Scottish Fiscal Commission are predicting our economy and job market won’t return to normal until about 2024.