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Daily Record
Daily Record
Politics
Chris McCall

Scottish independence supporters plan rallies across the country after Supreme Court verdict

Thousands of pro-independence supporters are expected to gather at rallies across Scotland tomorrow after the Supreme Court issues its IndyRef2 verdict.

Judges in London will issue a ruling on November 23 on whether the Scottish Parliament has the legal powers to stage a referendum on the constitution without prior approval from Westminster.

A rally is planned outside Holyrood from 5.30pm as well as a dozen other locations across the country.

Time for Scotland, the campaign group organising the demonstrations, insisted it would "not be attacking the legal system or dismissing judges as 'enemies of the union'".

Organisers hope to replicate the scale of the anti-Brexit rally held outside the Scottish Parliament in January 2020 before the UK officially left the EU.

"Really positive images of indy supporters went right round the globe that night," the campaign website stated.

"The chances are very high that we can do it again the day the Supreme Court's decision is announced. But we need to gather that same day - not wait till it's more convenient.

"Unlike previous Prime Ministers, independence campaigners will not be attacking the legal system or dismissing judges as 'enemies of the union'. But if the verdict goes against the Scottish Government we will ask how on earth the nation of Scotland – supposedly an ‘equal partner’ in the UK – can ever hold a lawful vote about its own future."

The case was referred to the Supreme Court by the Lord Advocate, Scotland's top legal officer, earlier this year on the request of Nicola Sturgeon.

The First Minister has previously stated her government's intention to hold a second referendum on October 19 next year - but only if judges rule Holyrood has the legal powers to do so.

Successive Tory prime ministers have repeatedly refused to allow an IndyRef2 and has insisted the result of the 2014 vote on independence should be respected.

Lawyers representing the UK Government at a Supreme Court hearing last month called for judges to dismiss the motion as powers over the constitution were "clearly" reserved to Westminster.

Sturgeon has signalled the SNP will attempt to use the next UK general election as a "de facto" referendum if judges vote rule against her government.

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