Theresa May has refused to agree to a second Scottish referendum before spring 2019, saying "now is not the time".

The Prime Minister says she will not start discussions with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on her proposals to hold a second independence vote when she is about to begin Brexit negotiations.

Mrs May said it would "not be fair" to expect the Scottish people to decide when they did not know what the future partnership with the UK would be or "what an independent Scotland would look like".

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Sturgeon calls for second Scottish referendum

Her refusal will escalate an already bitter war between Mrs May and the Scottish First Minister, who have traded blows this week.


On Monday, Ms Sturgeon announced her plans to hold another vote on Scottish independence between autumn 2018 and spring 2019.

The First Minister said she had to take action because the UK Government had "put up a brick wall" over Brexit negotiations and was not listening to Scotland. But Mrs May accused her of "playing politics".

Speaking on Thursday, Mrs May said: "Right now we should be working together, not pulling apart.

"We should be working together to get that right deal for Scotland, that right deal for the UK as I say that's my job as Prime Minister and so for that reason I say to the SNP: now is not the time."

PM tells Sturgeon: this is not the time to play politics

Mrs May would not go as far as ruling out ever agreeing to a second referendum but said she was just responding to the proposals outlined by Ms Sturgeon.

The First Minister responded on Twitter saying she was not proposing a Scottish referendum now but "when the terms of Brexit (were) clear".

She said if the Tories refused to discuss a timetable for another Scottish vote "they would effectively be blocking Scotland's right to choose when the Brexit terms clear.

"This would be undemocratic given (the Scottish government has a) clear mandate and also proof positive that the Tories fear the verdict of the Scottish people."

Scottish Secretary David Mundell confirmed that the UK Government will not enter into negotiations with the Scottish government on a second referendum.

Ms Sturgeon will ask her MSPs next week for permission to open discussions on a second referendum with Mrs May but needs the Prime Minister's permission to hold a vote.

4/4 this would be undemocratic given @scotgov clear mandate and also proof positive that the Tories fear the verdict of the Scottish people. — Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) March 16, 2017

The Scottish Parliament could agree to hold a referendum anyway but it would be advisory only and not legally binding.

However, a vote to end the 300-year union could put Mrs May in a very difficult position.

It comes 24 hours before the SNP is due to meet for its spring conference.