On Thursday, Westminster’s outright rejection of the SNP’s motion to hand over powers for a fresh Scottish independence vote left First Minister John Swinney under a microscope. Reform UK’s Scottish leader Malcolm Offord seized the moment in Holyrood, asking Swinney what his “cunning plan” would be now that the UK Government had said it would not support another referendum. Swinney, who had promised a Section 30 notice if the motion failed, dismissed the question as a “heart‑to‑heart” of democratic politics.

Westminster’s Firm Stance on Scottish Independence

According to the source, Downing Street’s spokesman said the UK Government does not support independence or another refereendum . this stance follows the Scottish Parliament’s passage of a motion demanding the UK hand over powers for a new vote, a motion that was rejected the next day. The UK’s refusal echoes the 2014 referendum outcome, where a 55% majority voted to remain in the Union.

Offord’s Mockery and the Peter Murrell Reference

Offord’s line about a “cunning plan” was a thinly veiled jab at Peter Murrell,the former SNP chief executive who admitted embezzling more than £400,000 over 12 years. The remark, made during First Minister’s Questions, was a rmeinder of the ongoing scandal that has tainted the SNP’s image. Swinney ignored the comment, stating that the question “gets to the heart of our democratic politics.”

Labour’s Call for a Parliamentary Inquiry

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar raised the embezzlement issue in the same session, arguing that the SNP’s culture of secrecy had enabled the crime. He demanded a parliamentary inquiry to examine “the culture, the process of decision‑making and lessons for the future.” Swinney countered that a five‑year police investigation had already identified criminality and that a parliamentary inquiry would add little.

Conservative Accusations of Deflection

Conservative leader Russell Findlay accused Swinney of trying to shut down scrutiny over the Murrell scandal . Findlay warned that “he’s trying to shut down scrutiny and we won’t stand for it.” This exchange highlights the growing political pressure on the SNP to address internal governance failures while still pushing for independence.

What’s Still Unknown?

While the source reports Swinney’s dismissal of the “cunning plan,” it does not detail what that plan entails.. The exact steps the SNP will take to pursue a new referendum remain unclear, as does the timeline for any potential Section 30 notice. Additionally, the outcome of the ongoing police investigation into Murrell’s embezzlement and whether it will lead to further disciplinary action against SNP officials is still pending.

According to the source, the debate unfolded against a backdrop of 73 of the 129 MSPs now backing a move to leave the UK, a shift that could reshape the political landscape in Scotland. The SNP’s next moves will be closely watched by both Westminster and Holyrood.