Swinney presses Burnham for independence referendum talks

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has prompted a fresh constitutional dispute after telling the Commons that Scotland is in exactly the same situation as Northern Ireland when it comes to a referendum on leaving the United Kingdom, comments that Scotland's First Minister has seized on as an acceptance of the principle of a second independence vote. The exchange came at Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, when SNP MP Chris Law asked whether the people of Scotland have the same legal right to choose their future as exists in Northern Ireland, where the Northern Ireland Act provides for a border poll. Mr Burnham said he would stick to the Good Friday Agreement 100 per cent, noting that a border poll is considered by the Northern Ireland Secretary when there is a clear consensus and public opinion has changed to the point where the call must be considered. He added that he was not aware of a majority of public support for another referendum in Scotland, and that until that changes there will not be one.