Sturgeon prepared to talk timings with May

NICOLA Sturgeon is to say she is prepared to negotiate on the timing of a second referendum with the Prime Minister.

The First Minister is addressing the SNP conference today in her first speech since the Tories said they would reject any request for a referen- dum before the UK leaves the EU.

She is expected to tell the Prime Minister the decision is for the parliament and the people of Scotland but she is prepared to discuss when a vote could be held.

In her speech today she is expected to say: “She has time to think again and I hope she does.

“If her concern is timing then, within reason, I am happy to have that discussion.

“But she should be in no doubt.The will of our parliament must and will prevail.”

The Scottish Parliament will vote on Wednesday on a request to seek power to hold a referendum.

Ms Sturgeon will say: “If a majority in the Scottish Parliament endorses that position, the Prime Minister should be clear about this.

“At that point a fair, legal, agreed referendum on a timescale that will allow the people of Scotland an informed choice ceases to be just my proposal, or that of the SNP.

“It becomes the will of the democratically elected Parliament of Scotland.”