London 10th August : The UK government has filed its argument in an appeal that may allow the Scottish Parliament to legislate for a new independence referendum.Scottish Advocate Dorothy Bain referred a prospective referendum bill to the Supreme Court last month to determine if it was within the authority of the Scottish Parliament, according to DPA news agency.
Oral arguments are scheduled to be heard in the case in October However, the Advocate General of Scotland Lord Stewart presented the case in opposition to the bill as falling within the legislative jurisdiction of the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood on Tuesday.
It is believed that the UK government has requested the court’s approval to publish the submission.
A spokesperson of the UK government said: “People across Scotland want both their governments to work together on issues that affect their families and themselves and not discussing another referendum on independence.
“We have submitted our written submission to the Supreme Court, in accordance with its schedule.
“On the issue of legislative competence on the issue of legislative competence, the UK government’s view is that any bill that would legislate for an independence referendum is not within the legislative jurisdiction of the Scottish Parliament.”
In its argument to the court, made in the month of March in September, the Scottish government was heavily reliant on any future referendum being “self-executing” which means it is purely advisory and intended only as a method of determining the opinions of the Scottish people.
The Scottish National Party (SNP) has also attempted to take part in this case.They claim that as a public institution it is “fair fair, just and reasonable” to present arguments before the court.
