Nigel Farage has suggested that a second Scottish independence referendum could be 'quite reasonable' if the issue becomes 'relevant' in the future, though he reiterated his party's opposition to breaking up the UK.
The Reform UK leader, speaking to The Scotsman during a campaign visit to Glasgow, said he cannot predict how people will feel about independence in 20 years' time. 'We believe in the United Kingdom. We think it'd be bad for both parties,' he said, adding that the 2014 and 2016 referendums were described as 'once-in-a-generation' events.
Mr Farage has been campaigning in Scotland ahead of the Holyrood election on May 7, holding a rally in Aberdeen and visiting Shetland and Glasgow. Polls suggest Reform could become the second-largest party at the Scottish Parliament.
The comments drew criticism from Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay, who called them 'incendiary' and accused Reform of 'cheerleading for the SNP's obsessive desire to break up our country'. SNP depute leader Keith Brown said it was not for 'arrogant politicians from the Westminster establishment like Nigel Farage to tell Scotland when we can make our voice heard'.
