Scottish Government to publish plans for second independence referendum
Nicola Sturgeon welcomes a draft bill for independence warning that Scotland was being taken out of the EU against its will.
Thursday 20 October 2016 01:05, UK
Plans for a second Scottish referendum are to be published so Scots can reconsider independence following Brexit.
Speaking in advance of publication of a draft bill for another vote on Scottish self rule, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said her party had promised a second vote if Britain decided to leave the EU.
"This government was elected on a specific manifesto pledge that the Scottish Parliament should be able to consider an independence referendum if there was a material change in circumstances, such as Scotland being taken out of the European Union against its will," she said.
"The country now faces exactly that prospect, including the likelihood of it being a hard Brexit with all the additional damage that will do to Scotland's economy and jobs, which is why this bill is being published for consultation."
Almost two-thirds (62%) of Scots voted to remain part of the European Union in the 23 June vote and Ms Sturgeon said efforts to protect Scotland's place in Europe would gain momentum in the coming weeks.
Her declaration of war on Brexit comes after it was announced she will meet Prime Minister Theresa May on 24 October for their first discussion on the subject.
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said her party would fight proposals for a second referendum, suggesting Ms Sturgeon was using the vote to leave the EU for her own ends.
She said: "The First Minister says she respects the result from 2014, but there will be more than two million Scots who now know otherwise.
"Instead of using Brexit to further her own political ambitions, Nicola Sturgeon should be working closely with the UK Government to address the risks and explore the opportunities this decision creates for industries and sectors across Scotland."
Secretary of State for Scotland David Mundell said: "The issue of whether Scotland should leave the UK was settled conclusively in 2014.
"The people of Scotland said no decisively then and there is no public attitude for a second referendum now.
"People in Scotland need a Scottish government that is focused on the day job - not obsessed with pushing their ideological agenda at any cost.
"The UK is the vital union for Scotland and my clear priority is to get the best possible deal as we leave the EU."