Joanna Cherry:"Alex Salmond secured a concession that nothing in Scotland Act would preclude the people of Scotland from subsequently choosing an independent future. This is recorded in Hansard during second reading of Referendums (Scotland & Wales) Bill, May 21, 1997."

Donald Dewar said: “I should be the last to challenge the sovereignty of the people, or deny them the right to opt for any solution to the constitutional question they wished. For example, if they want to go for independence, I see no reason why they should not do so." JC

"In same debate Alex Salmond went on to emphasise that “… the Claim of Right referred to sovereign right of the Scottish people to determine a form of Govt best suited to their needs. It did not suggest sovereignty resides with English Members of Parliament." Joanna Cherry

Joanna Cherry: "Donald Dewar articulated the democratic norm later enshrined in the Edinburgh Agreement. His concession laid the foundation for the 2014 referendum in recognising the rights of Scots to choose whether to remain part of our voluntary union with England."

"I am wholly in agreement with view that we must find a legal & constitutional way to demonstrate that public opinion in Scotland has changed since 2014 referendum, in order for our independence to be internationally recognised & therefore meaningful." Joanna Cherry

"Last Sunday, Andrew Marr asked Johnson what democratic tools are available to Scottish voters who want Scotland to leave UK. What is different from the English wanting to leave EU & being allowed to have a referendum, & Scots who want to leave UK but NOT being allowed one?" JC

"Foolish to undermine concession Alex Salmond secured. Dangerous to re-inforce the power of our adversary & cement in minds of international community that the only way Scotland can leave UK legally & constitutionally is by replicating 2014 referendum. It's patently not true." JC

"100 years ago, Irish independence came about not as a result of a referendum, but of a treaty negotiated between Irish parliamentarians & British Govt, after nationalist MPs had won majority of Irish seats in 1918 General Election, &withdrawn to form provisional govt in Dublin."

"While no-one wants to replicate violence that preceded negotiations, the Treaty is in legal & constitutional terms a clear PRECEDENT which shows a constituent part of UK CAN leave & become indy by a process of negotiation after a majority of pro-indy MPs win election in it." JC