Indyref2 plans won’t be set out until new year

Nicola Sturgeon has said she won’t bow to the “huge appetite” among Nationalists to call a quickfire independence referendum amid the Brexit chaos.

It is likely to be the new year before the First Minister unveils her plans for a fresh vote on Scotland leaving the UK.

The SNP leader insisted she must put the “national interest” first as she seeks to avoid the economic damage of hard Brexit that will leave all Scots “poorer”.

“I could stand here and put my interests first or the SNP’S interests,” Ms Sturgeon said as she addressed journalists in Bute House yesterday.

“I know there’s a huge appetite across those who support independence to see other statements made around here.

“But what’s right and proper is that I put the interests of the country first.”

The First Minister added: “I will make that statement at a time that I think is right not just for the Scottish Government or for the SNP, but right for the people of Scotland.

“I think it’s only right if we’re asking the people of Scotland to consider the question of independence then we give them as much clarity as we possibly can.”