Prime Minister Andy Burnham was compelled to backtrack on Wednesday after suggesting that Scotland could hold another independence referendum if there was majority public support for it.
Burnham appeared to outline conditions for a fresh separatist vote in Scotland during Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs). When challenged by SNP MP Chris Law, Burnham indicated that the same rules should apply in Scotland as in Northern Ireland, which requires a 'clear consensus in the country.'
"I would say exactly the same situation in Scotland. I am not aware that there's a majority of public support for another referendum," Burnham stated. "And until that changes there won't be one."
This statement followed previous remarks where Burnham had told Scottish First Minister John Swinney that another referendum was not happening and that they would have to 'agree to disagree' on the issue.
Downing Street reiterated the Prime Minister's stance that a vote is 'off the table.' However, the SNP leader swiftly reacted to what they termed a "Commons blunder."
John Swinney posted on X, formerly Twitter, that "To go from 'off limits' to this is an acceptance of the reality that the people of Scotland will decide their own future - not the UK Government." He added, "For the first time since 2014, a British Prime Minister accepts that majority support for a referendum should mean one takes place."
Burnham had previously told Swinney that another referendum was not on the cards. He had stated they would have to 'agree to disagree' on the matter.