Nicola Sturgeon: Brexit chaos will push Scots towards independence The case for Scottish independence is being made “greater and stronger by the day” by Theresa May’s chaotic approach to […]

The case for Scottish independence is being made “greater and stronger by the day” by Theresa May’s chaotic approach to Brexit, Nicola Sturgeon has claimed.

The Scottish First Minister said people in Scotland were increasingly aware that the UK’s departure from the EU is set to be a “disaster” and would want to decide their own future for themselves.

Speaking as the SNP’s autumn conference began in Glasgow, Ms Sturgeon restated her commitment to holding a second independence referendum when the terms of Brexit are clear.

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However, she said she would not start to consider the possible timing of another vote until the end of next year, potentially pushing back the eventual date.

‘Unfolding disaster’ of Brexit

Accusing the Prime Minister of taking an “incompetent” and “chaotic” approach to Brexit, Ms Sturgeon suggested that the “unfolding disaster” would push Scots towards independence.

“The case for Scotland’s future being in Scotland’s hands and us being more in control of the decisions that shape our destiny – I think that case becomes greater and stronger by the day,” she told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show.

Her comments came as the SNP gathered for its first major meeting since the general election, which saw the party lost 21 seats, including those of Alex Salmond and Angus Robertson.

The poor result has been widely ascribed to Ms Sturgeon’s decision to call for a second independence referendum in the wake of the Brexit vote.

In June Ms Sturgeon promised to temporarily postpone her plans for another vote, with a further announcement scheduled for autumn next year.

“People feel – and I think this is understandable – that there’s so much uncertainty just now that making a firm decision about the timing of another referendum is premature,” the SNP leader said yesterday.

“I won’t give any further consideration to the timing until Brexit and the terms of Brexit become clearer.”

The Catalonia Question

In the wake of the violence in Catalonia, Ms Sturgeon also said that any future Scottish referendum should follow the precedent set by the Edinburgh Agreement ahead of 2014’s vote.

This saw the UK Government giving Holyrood the ability to legislate for a referendum in Scotland, allowing it to set the date, franchise and wording of the question.

However, she refused to say whether or not she would recognise an independent Catalonia, should its government unilaterally declare independence from Spain.

“What I think has to be recognised is the strength of feeling in Catalonia. I think it’s now time for dialogue to replace confrontation,” she said.

“You cannot simply say the right of a people to choose their future is illegal in all circumstances.”