Wishart: Sleazy cesspit of Westminster is fuelling desire for independence
The SNP MP highlighted a recent poll showing majority support for Scotland to leave the UK.
Scots will back independence as they want to “get the hell out” of the “sleazy cesspit” of Westminster, the SNP has claimed.
Pete Wishart used business questions to highlight an opinion poll suggesting majority support for Scottish independence.
The SNP’s shadow Commons leader said: “The Scottish people are looking at this corrupt, sleazy cesspit and they do not like what they see.
“They’re quickly determining it’s time to get the hell out of this place.”
Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg replied: “He wants to bat back and forth opinion polls, and I note even SNP supporters don’t think having a referendum on independence is very important.
“I think they want to see the SNP Government in Scotland getting on with running Scotland properly and making the health service work, and building the roads and dealing with all the problems they’re singularly failing to deal with.”
The Ipsos Mori survey for STV News showed 55% backing for Yes and 45% for No among likely voters when undecideds were excluded.
Mr Wishart also suggested Mr Rees-Mogg should “recuse” himself from discussions on standards reforms in Parliament after it emerged he was subject to a probe.
Mr Wishart said: “Today it’s the Leader of the House who is all over the headlines as he emerges as the latest Government minister to be investigated of his outside interests.
“Six million quid – I never knew he was so loaded. He could buy two peerages in the House of Lords with that money.”
He added: “We have to debate the Standards Committee report… the Leader of the House must recuse himself from that debate.”
Mr Rees-Mogg said 16th-century legislation enabled him in his role as Lord President of the Council to sit in the House of Lords, adding: “It’s not a privilege I have ever taken up, I’m worried their lordships might be a bit surprised.”
The decision to investigate Mr Rees-Mogg came after Labour demanded an investigation into a £6 million loan that the party said he did not declare properly.
Mr Rees-Mogg released a statement to say the rules did not dictate that loans be declared.
