Westminster set to block Indyref2 until beyond 2021 election

THE UK Government is ready to block any bid for a second independence referendum for at least three years.

Theresa May will rule out Indyref2 until after the 2021 Holyrood election, The Scottish Mail on Sunday understands.

It is a blow for Nicola Sturgeon, who unveiled the SNP’s new report on the economic case for independence on Friday.

She is planning a summer roadshow to try to drum up support for separation, and will decide in the autumn whether to call for another referendum.

However, The Scottish Mail on Sunday understands that will definitely be rejected. It not only rules out another vote until after 2021 at the earliest – but possibly for a generation.

The SNP and Scottish Greens hold a pro-independence majority at Holyrood and could therefore pass a referendum Bill.

However, the Nationalists’ support has plummeted since the 2016 Holyrood election, and current polls indicate there would be a proUnion majority after 2021, with the Scottish Tories, Labour and the Lib Dems certain to reject any new referendum Bill.

Writing in today’s Scottish Mail on Sunday, Ruth Davidson insisted: ‘The Prime Minister and I will be utterly resolute in opposing that second referendum.’

But now a UK Government source has gone further by revealing it is committed to a long-term block.

The source said: ‘Now is not the time for a second referendum. Most Scots are dismayed by the idea.

‘We have had this debate. The question was settled decisively in 2014 and we now need to focus our energies on leaving the EU with the right deal for Scotland and the whole of the UK. That will not change between now and 2021.

‘The Scottish Government should stop using Brexit as an excuse for a second referendum and work with the UK Government as we prepare to leave the EU.’