UK: Sturgeon calls for second Scottish independence referendum ahead of Brexit

First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon announced that she will seek Scottish parliament's backing to engage in talks with the UK government on a Section 30 order of the Scotland Act, which would pave the way for a second Scottish independence referendum. Sturgeon was speaking in Edinburgh on Monday.

Sturgeon said, "I can confirm today that next week I will seek the authority of the Scottish parliament to agree with the UK government the details of a Section 30 order. The procedure that will enable the Scottish parliament to legislate for an independence referendum."

Explaining her decision, Sturgeon said that in the 2015 General Election the SNP ran on the manifesto that "'The Scottish parliament should have the right to hold another referendum if there is a significant and material change in the circumstances that prevailed in 2014, such as Scotland being taken out of the EU against our will.' These conditions have of course now been met."

Sturgeon added "If Scotland is to have a real choice, when the terms of Brexit are known, but before it is too late to choose our own course, than that choice must be offered between the autumn of next year 2018 and the spring of 2019."