Nicola Roy praised for Scottish Independence comments during BBC Debate Night

Appearing alongside panellists including Tory MSP Graham Simpson, Roy said she thought that Scotland would lose out on “a lot more” than £20 million by staying in the union. 

Her comments came after Simpson had described the sum as “a complete waste of money right now,” claiming he would like to see more cash channeled into public services.

Responding to Simpson, Roy said: “I’d like to go back on the point about the £20 million for the independence referendum. Obviously, cuts are never good, I do not support cuts, especially not to public services but I do understand sometimes difficult decisions have to be made. 

“We are spending £28m on the Jubilee and we have spent £17m of taxpayers’ money subsidising meals for MPs”

On #bbcdn tonight, @NicolaMRoy debates £20m set aside for a referendum and says she thinks Scotland will lose “a lot more” by staying in the union.

10.30pm on @BBCScotland pic.twitter.com/hrXJufm7tN

— BBC Debate Night (@bbcdebatenight) June 1, 2022

“In terms of the £20 million, I suppose its about context, they do have a mandate to deliver this referendum, but we’re – and this is not in anyway an attack on the Queen – we’re spending £28 million on the Jubilee and we’ve spent £17 million of taxpayers money subsidising meals for MPS who are on high wages.  

“I genuinely fear that if we don’t have this referendum, we will lose a lot more than £20 million when we stay in this union.”

Roy has been praised on social media for her stance, with one account sharing the clip accompanied by the caption: “Spot on, Nicola”.