LONDON, 28 January, 2021 (TON): The Prime Minister of UK, Boris Johnson is set to visit Scotland on Thursday as support grows for a second independence referendum in the country.

Scotland’s leader, Nicole Sturgeon questioned the necessity of the trip during the lockdown.

Scotland, which makes up the northernmost part of United Kingdom, voted against independence in 2014. But ties have strained since the 2016 Brexit vote to leave the European Union.

Majority of the Scots voted to stay in the EU, apart from UK as a whole that voted to leave Brexit.

The pandemic condition has taken its toll in relations between the two neighbors.

The semi-autonomous administration has had a large say in dictating Scotland's own response, often pitting it against central government in London.

The Prime Minister is expected to highlight his government’s role in dealing with the pandemic crisis.

According to his office, he will say, "The great benefits of cooperation across the whole of the UK have never been clearer than since the beginning of this pandemic”. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, leader of the majority Scottish National Party, (SNP) on Wednesday questioned if reasons for visiting are "really essential" amid the pandemic. She added it sets a bad example to the public.

Sturgeon is hoping a strong performance by her SNP in May elections for the country's devolved Parliament would give her the mandate to hold a second referendum.

Scotland voted against independence by 55% to 45% in the 2014 referendum. But recent polls showing Scotland would vote to leave the union in any re-run.