Sturgeon still refusing to rule out a second referendum

NICOLA STURGEON was yesterday accused of ignoring the message sent by Scots in the general election after announcing she is persisting with plans for a second independence referendum which could get under way next year.

The First Minister told MSPS she will “reset” the timetable for another referendum, which she originally wanted between autumn 2018 and spring 2019. She said she thought a vote was still “likely” before the May 2021 Holyrood election.

Overlooking the fact that Theresa May, the Prime Minister, has refused her the powers to stage another vote before Scots can see how Brexit has panned out, Ms Sturgeon said she would not “immediately” seek to introduce legislation for a referendum.

Instead, she said she would delay a Bill until the end of the Brexit talks in autumn next year, at which point she pledged to return to parliament “to set out our judgment on the best way forward” and a precise timetable for another referendum.

At the same moment that Ms Sturgeon sat down after her 15-minute statement, the SNP launched a campaign website “to build the case that decisions made by us – not for us – offer the best future for Scotland”.

During the general election, Unionist parties urged voters to send Ms Sturgeon a message to take a second referendum off the table. The SNP lost 21 seats and Ms Sturgeon pledged to “reflect” on the result.

However, despite more than 60 per cent of Scottish voters backing Unionist parties, compared with 37 per cent for the SNP, the First Minister argued her party had a mandate “beyond question” for another referendum.

Ruth Davidson, the Scottish Tory leader, said yesterday: “Nicola Sturgeon could have used today to show she had listened to people across Scotland. Instead, she has shown she is determined to press ahead with her referendum no matter what people say.”

David Mundell, the Scottish Secretary, said: “These were the words of a First Minister who is not listening.”