Gove’s ‘arrogant condescension’ bolsters support for Scottish independence, Sturgeon says

Michael Gove said there would be no referendum on Scottish independence before the next general election
Michael Gove said there would be no referendum on Scottish independence before the next general election
DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Nicola Sturgeon has said the “sneering, arrogant condescension” of Michael Gove’s comments about another referendum are strengthening support for Scottish independence.

Gove, the UK’s Cabinet Office minister, said he couldn’t see Boris Johnson agreeing to an independence referendum before the next general election and it was “foolish” to discuss it while the country was still recovering from the coronavirus pandemic.

Scotland’s first minister said the argument that the nations of the United Kingdom were equals “completely disintegrates” if the UK government refused to allow another vote on independence.

Sturgeon said: “Every time we hear that kind of sneering, arrogant condescension from Michael Gove — or whatever UK government minister it may be — completely refusing to accept Scottish democracy, actually the more they just