Sturgeon urges independence supporters to have ‘patience’

First minister admits Indyref2 may not now take place until after Holyrood election in 2021

Nicola Sturgeon has urged supporters of Scottish independence to have “patience”, as she predicted Brexit will lead to the break-up of the United Kingdom.

The first minister insisted her wish to hold a second referendum later this year remains “perfectly realistic”, but she acknowledged it may not now take place until after the next Holyrood election in 2021.

She told supporters they must be prepared to “stay the course, even if sometimes it feels difficult”.

Speaking in Edinburgh on Brexit day, the SNP leader told party activists: “We must make our case with passion but also with patience and respect.”

Her message came as she stressed that for Scotland to become independent, “a referendum, whenever it happens – whether it is this year as I want, or after the next Scottish election – must be legal and legitimate”.

Speaking just hours before the UK left the European Union, she added: “I believe Brexit will lead to Scotland being independent. In that sense the UK in its current form will not exist.

“That’s a thoroughly positive thing for Scotland.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has already rejected Ms Sturgeon’s calls for a fresh independence referendum, hailed the UK’s departure from the EU as a “moment of real national renewal and change”.

But Ms Sturgeon said Brexit in Scotland had brought “recognition that there is a fork in the road”.

She said: “Boris Johnson’s path lies one way, the opportunity to be a modern, progressive, open, tolerant country at the heart of Europe lies the other.

“That other way can only come with independence.”

But Scottish Conservative interim leader Jackson Carlaw condemned the “downbeat” statement from a first minister “faced with the reality that there will be no referendum anytime soon”.

He added: “Nicola Sturgeon’s determination to plough on with preparations for another vote on independence is predictable, depressing and entirely wrong-headed.

“People across Scotland are sick and tired of her relentless pursuit of a referendum they simply don’t want.

“What people do want is action now to improve education, health, policing and all the other services they rely upon.

“On the day we leave the EU, they want a government which focuses on Scotland’s economy and jobs.”

Picture: PA. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon speaking during an event at the Ozone, Our Dynamic Earth, in Edinburgh.