Jeremy Corbyn denies secretly supporting Scottish independence
SNP MP Mhairi Black claims Labour leader has ‘sold his soul’ over the Union issue

Jeremy Corbyn has dismissed claims by Scottish National Party MP Mhairi Black that he secretly favours an independent Scotland.
A Labour spokesperson described the assertion as “complete nonsense”, reports The Times, while a party source accused Black of “trying to smear” Corbyn, adding: “Since becoming leader, Jeremy has been unequivocal in his opposition to Scottish independence.”
Black made the claims in an interview with HuffPost, saying Corbyn had “sold his soul” over Scottish independence and that she felt “let down” by him.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Paisley and Renfrewshire South MP said she was certain that he did not accept the Labour Party policy of keeping Scotland within the Union.
“I’m raging at Jeremy,” she said. “He has totally sold his soul, especially in terms of Scotland.
“He has sold out in terms of austerity. He has sold out in terms of Scottish independence – because I know that he doesn’t believe the things he says about independence now.”
Asked directly how she knew Corbyn supported independence, she said: “From talking to him.”
She added: “It really annoys me when people get credit when the reality is different.”
Black “failed to offer any further details of when and where the conversation took place, however, or the exact exchange”, says the news website.
Nevertheless, the claims are likely to “fuel unease among Labour MPs, several of whom have previously expressed concerns over his stance on the Union”, says The Daily Telegraph.
The Scottish Conservatives claim the allegations show that Labour is “willing to sell out the two million people who voted No in 2014”.
Adam Tomkins, the Tory MSP for Glasgow, said: “This is yet more confirmation that Labour isn’t just soft on the independence issue, it doesn’t even care.
“Labour leaders on both sides of the border paid unconvincing lip service to the importance of the union, yet behind the scenes would vote Yes in a heartbeat.”
Corbyn has said that independence would be “catastrophic” for Scotland, but caused controversy last year when he reportedly said that a second referendum, following the one in September 2014, would be “absolutely fine”.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
5 heavy-handed cartoons about ICE and deportation
Cartoons Artists take on international students, the Supreme Court, and more
By The Week US
-
Exploring the three great gardens of Japan
The Week Recommends Beautiful gardens are 'the stuff of Japanese landscape legends'
By The Week UK
-
Is Prince Harry owed protection?
Talking Point The Duke of Sussex claims he has been singled out for 'unjustified and inferior treatment' over decision to withdraw round-the-clock security
By The Week UK
-
Did China sabotage British Steel?
Today's Big Question Emergency situation at Scunthorpe blast furnaces could be due to 'neglect', but caution needed, says business secretary
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK
-
What is Starmer's £33m plan to smash 'vile' Channel migration gangs?
Today's Big Question PM lays out plan to tackle migration gangs like international terrorism, with cooperation across countries and enhanced police powers
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK
-
The tribes battling it out in Keir Starmer's Labour Party
The Explainer From the soft left to his unruly new MPs, Keir Starmer is already facing challenges from some sections of the Labour Party
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK
-
Are we on the brink of a recession?
Today's Big Question Britain's shrinking economy is likely to upend Rachel Reeves' Spring Statement spending plans
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK
-
Has Starmer put Britain back on the world stage?
Talking Point UK takes leading role in Europe on Ukraine and Starmer praised as credible 'bridge' with the US under Trump
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK
-
Left on read: Labour's WhatsApp dilemma
Talking Point Andrew Gwynne has been sacked as health minister over messages posted in a Labour WhatsApp group
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK
-
Peter Mandelson: can he make special relationship great again?
In the Spotlight New Labour architect, picked for his 'guile, expertise in world affairs and trade issues, and networking skills', on a mission to woo Donald Trump
By The Week UK
-
Will Keir Starmer have to choose between the EU and the US?
Today's Big Question Starmer's 'reset' with the EU will focus on 'defence for trade' but an 'EU-hating' president in the White House could cause the PM trouble
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK