LONDON: The UK government has presented its defence in a lawsuit that might give the Scottish Parliament the authority to pass legislation calling for another independence vote.

Scottish Attorney Dorothy Bain brought a potential referendum law to the Supreme Court last month to determine if it fell under the purview of the Scottish Parliament.

Although oral arguments in the case are scheduled for hearing in October, Lord Stewart, the Advocate General for Scotland, presented the argument against the bill falling outside the purview of Parliament's legislative authority before Holyrood on Tuesday. It is believed that the UK government has requested permission from the court to publish the submission.

A UK government spokesman said: "Scotland's citizens want both governments to cooperate on matters important to them and their families, not to discuss holding another independence vote.

"In accordance with the Supreme Court's schedule, we have delivered our written argument to them today.
Regarding the issue of legislative competence, the UK government continues to hold the firm belief that a measure requiring a referendum on independence would fall outside the purview of the Scottish Parliament's legislative authority. The Scottish government emphasised in its submission to the court last month that any future referendum would not be "self-executing," meaning it would only be advisory and intended as a tool to learn the opinions of the Scottish people.

Attempts to intervene in the case have also been made by the Scottish National Party (SNP), which claims that, as a public entity, it would be "fair, just, and reasonable" for it to do so.

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