Nicola Sturgeon has set Scotland on course for a second referendum, promising to offer Scots “a choice between a hard Brexit and becoming an independent country”. The first minister will next week seek approval from the Scottish parliament for a referendum, which she said could be held between autumn 2018 and spring 2019.

Ms Sturgeon needs the agreement of the British government to hold a referendum but she said the decision was one for Scotland to make.

“The UK government was clear in 2014 that an independence referendum should be, in their words, ‘made in Scotland, by the people of Scotland’ – that is a principle that should be respected today. The detailed arrangements for a referendum - including its timing – should be for the Scottish parliament to decide,” she said.

In response to Ms Sturgeon’s statement, Downing Street said a second independence referendum would be divisive and economically damaging for Scotland but stopped short of threatening to block it.

“Only a little over two years ago people in Scotland voted decisively to remain part of our United Kingdom in a referendum which the Scottish government defined as a ‘once in a generation’ vote. The evidence clearly shows that a majority of people in Scotland do not want a second independence referendum. Another referendum would be divisive and cause huge economic uncertainty at the worst possible time,” a spokesman said.

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“UK membership of the single market was ruled out with no prior consultation with the Scottish government or with the other devolved administrations, leaving us facing not just Brexit, but a hard Brexit. And far from any prospect of significant new powers for the Scottish parliament, the UK government is becoming ever more assertive in its intention to muscle in on the powers we already have. The language of partnership has gone, completely,” Ms Sturgeon said.

Scotland’s interests

The European Commission on Monday restated its position that an independent Scotland would have to reapply for EU membership, even if it leaves the UK before Britain leaves the EU. Some EU member-states, notably Spain, are likely to resist Scotland’s accession to the EU, fearing it would encourage secessionist movements elsewhere.

Labour and the Conservatives said they will vote against a second referendum in the Scottish parliament next week, although Jeremy Corbyn said he would not seek to block it at Westminster.

“Labour believes it would be wrong to hold another so soon and Scottish Labour will oppose it in the Scottish parliament. If, however, the Scottish parliament votes for one, Labour will not block that democratic decision at Westminster,” the Labour leader said.

Scotland voted in 2014 by 55 per cent to 45 per cent to remain part of the UK. A poll this week put support for independence at 48 per cent, with 52 per cent against.