MSP slams Westminster 'power grab' from Scottish Parliament
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A LOCAL MSP has backed calls by the SNP for Prime Minister Boris Johnson to reaffirm his commitment to the Scotland Act 2016.
It comes after claims that he would shut down Holyrood if he could. The Prime minister's former chief aide Dominic Cummings had claimed Mr Johnson was an "unthinking unionist" who would "reverse devolution if he could".
The Scotland Act 2016 recognises the Scottish Parliament’s place, describing Holyrood’s status as “permanent”.
Banffshire and Buchan Coast SNP MSP said that this was not the only threat the Mr Johnson has presented towards the Scottish Parliament, saying he previously described devolution as a ‘disaster’ and is also leading a power grab by stealth through the Internal Market Bill and Shared Prosperity Fund.
She continued: “Dominic Cummings has made the extremely serious revelation that the Prime Minister of the UK wants to scrap Holyrood, Scotland’s democratic parliament.
“Following these claims, Boris Johnson must immediately guarantee that he will respect Scotland’s ability to exercise our democracy and maintain the recognition of the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government in the Scotland Act. If the Prime Minister is unable to do even that then it is a clear sign that only independence will safeguard the future of Scotland.
“The Scottish Tories have remained silent throughout this scandal, a silence that speaks volumes.
“We know that the post-Brexit UK Tory government power grab is an abuse of authority and is in direct conflict with Scotland’s wishes.
“This is just one of the many threats made on the existence of Scotland’s parliament. Our future is not safe in the hands of the Westminster Tories. The only way now to protect Holyrood from Boris Johnson’s Tories is with independence.”
