All Under One Banner cancels pro-independence Perth protest

All Under One Banner has planned to stage a protest outside the Tory leadership hustings on Tuesday

ALL Under One Banner (AUOB) has had to call off a planned pro-independence protest in Perth this week.

The Yes group said on Twitter due to unforeseen circumstances it has had to cancel its Cost of Union demonstration which was set to take place outside the Conservative leadership hustings in the Fair City on Tuesday.

AUOB has said it is still encouraging independence supporters to go and protest at the sold-out event. 

Due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, we are unfortunately having to cancel the Cost of Union protest at Perth on Tues. Independence supporters who were planning to attend are still encouraged to go and protest. We thank everyone for their support and understanding.

— All Under One Banner (@AUOBNOW) August 14, 2022

With a venue still to be confirmed, Perth will host a debate between Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak in-front of local Tory party members.

There are still six hustings to take place across the UK between now and the end of August, with Perth the only one in Scotland.

The last Conservative Party leadership hustings between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt in 2019 was also held in the city.

Pro-independence campaigners gathered outside Perth Concert Hall during the 2019 event, waving Saltires and Yes flags. A banner which read “End London Rule” was also draped from one of the city’s bridges.

Ahead of this week's hustings, Truss launched a fresh attack on the devolved nations accusing them of “playing political games” instead of focusing on “priorities”.

She said that if she succeeds in becoming prime minister, she would take on the role of minister for the Union – a position created and held by Boris Johnson.

The SNP accused Truss – who has also rejected holding indyref2 – of having a “total disregard” for Scotland.

Meanwhile, Sunak has pledged to bring back the Union Unit in a bid to see off talk of an independent Scotland.

As part of a grand plan to beat the SNP, the former chancellor has said he will relaunch the unit with a full team of No 10 staff to ensure every single Government department operates UK-wide.