<\/p>\n
Starmer and Swinney previously met in Edinburgh<\/p>\n
Downing Street has disputed claims by the Scottish Government that Sir Keir Starmer has agreed to talks that will include a second independence referendum.<\/p>\n
The meeting is scheduled for next month \u2013 assuming Sir Keir is still Prime Minister \u2013 and was agreed in a call from Downing Street congratulating Mr Swinney on his election success.<\/p>\n
However, No 10 has disputed the\u00a0SNP\u00a0leader\u2019s claims that a referendum will be discussed and has insisted that the UK Government remains opposed to another independence vote.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson for the First Minister earlier said: \u201cThe First Minister is pleased that the Prime Minister reached out to congratulate him on his emphatic election win and that the Prime Minister stressed his willingness to work in collaboration with the Scottish Government where possible.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is particularly welcome that the Prime Minister agreed to meet next month to discuss a referendum on independence.<\/p>\n
\u201cGiven the\u00a0SNP\u2019s landslide victory and the fact that the people of Scotland have elected more pro-independence MSPs than at any point in the Parliament\u2019s history, the previous refusal of the\u00a0UK Government\u00a0to consider Scotland\u2019s right to decide its own future was clearly unsustainable. <\/p>\n
\u201cA way forward must be found and so these discussions are welcome.<\/p>\n
\u201cComing alongside Labour MSPs making clear that there must be a way for this question to be resolved, it is now very clear that the momentum is building behind Scotland\u2019s right to decide.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe First Minister looks forward to the talks with the UK Government, and is confident that the people of Scotland will choose the fresh start of independence.\u201d<\/p>\n
A\u00a0Downing Street\u00a0spokesperson poured cold water on the suggestion that Sir Keir would entertain another referendum, saying: \u201cThe PM committed to meeting to discuss shared issues including the cost of living.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs the PM told the First Minister, the manifesto this government was elected on was unambiguous that Labour does not support independence or another referendum.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur position remains unchanged.\u201d<\/p>\n
On speculation that the talks would include the referendum, Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said:\u00a0\u201cWe warned during the election campaign that if Swinney achieved his self-imposed \u2018mandate\u2019 of an SNP majority, Starmer would be likely to surrender to his referendum demands.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIf he wasn\u2019t so weak, Starmer would have sent Swinney packing and told him to get on with the day job.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t #Downing #Street #disputes #referendum #talks #claim #Daily #Business<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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