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Ellen Wong, Principal Officer of the US Consulate General in Edinburgh said it wanted “political and economic stability” from its allies rather than significant upheaval from the prospect of IndyRef2. In a clear signal of opposition to Scottish independence, Ms Wong who joined the Edinburgh Consulate under the Trump administration in October 2018 stressed the importance of maintaining close ties.
The senior US diplomat stressed Scotland and the US had developed close business, cultural and educational links since the start of devolution in 1999 and hinted these could be impacted by a second vote.
Ms Wong added: “I’m not going to speak on behalf of President Biden but what I would say is you know I listed all these many ties that exist across the Atlantic and I think our priority is ensuring that these ties continue to be strong and continue to prosper.
“Regardless of the Brexit process or any constitutional question, we want to ensure that there is domestic political and economic stability because that’s the ally that we want.”
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon wants to hold another separation vote by the end of 2023.
A draft agenda for the SNP’s annual national conference shows party members will be asked to endorse proposals for a new independence push, arguing this is “essential” for a successful recovery from the Covid pandemic.
A separate motion states that legislation for a new referendum should be introduced at Holyrood “at the earliest moment” after a “clear end” to the current public health crisis.
Another row could also erupt over SNP ministers’ position on nuclear weapons at Faslane on the River Clyde.
A motion filed at the upcoming conference claimed that Trident nuclear weapons would be removed from Scottish waters within just three years of independence day.
Alyn Smith MP, the party’s Foreign Affairs spokesperson, said having President Biden onboard would increase their reach to “tell Scotland’s story”.
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