John Swinney says he will continue independence push despite Downing Street saying referendum is ‘off limits’

John Swinney has told the prime minister that he will continue his push for another Scottish independence referendum despite being told it was “off limits”.

The first minister met Andy Burnham in Glasgow on Thursday afternoon ahead of the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.

It follows a phone call earlier in the week between the pair after Burnham become prime minister on Monday.

Swinney confirmed to journalists afterwards that he had reiterated his position that there should be another vote on the constitution.

He said: “I made clear to the prime minister that I secured a mandate from the people of Scotland to hold a referendum on independence. That's what the people of Scotland want, the largest number of MSPs in the Scottish Parliament are supportive of an independence referendum and of independence, and I want to turn that into reality.”

Asked what Burnham’s response was, the first minister added: “The prime minister doesn't share that view. I made it clear to him that I intend to continue to pursue the importance of the democratic right of the people of Scotland to decide their own future.”

Burnham has instead argued for “deeper devolution” across the UK and the pair agreed to work together on that.

A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The prime minister reiterated his belief that deeper devolution could make a real difference in helping communities across the UK to re-industrialise – creating jobs, transforming high streets and reviving local economies – and welcomed the first minister's willingness to engage with that process. 

“The prime minister stated up front that another referendum on independence was off limits because it would take our focus away from growing the economy and helping families with the cost of living.”

There was little detail about what further devolution could look like, though the first minister said Burnham had agreed not to go “over our heads” and bypass the Scottish Government and Parliament.

The Scottish Government has grown dissatisfied with the approach taken by Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander, whom Burnham reappointed earlier this week.

Swinney said the prime minister had “heard my perspective” about Alexander and had been assured the new UK government wanted a “constructive, respectful relationship with the Scottish Government”.

He continued: “There'll be further dialogue that will be taken forward, which will enable us to discuss how best to devolve more powers into Scotland and for that to be done in a fashion that is in consort with the Scottish Government and not over our heads.”