Nicola Sturgeon: Independence referendum decision could be made in autumn

Speaking on the Andrew Marr show, it was put to Nicola Sturgeon that around October it will be clearer what Brexit will entail given that both the UK and European parliaments will have made a decision on post-Brexit relations.

“That’s what I understand to be the case,” replied Sturgeon.

“I should caveat that by saying I‘m not in control of that timetable. But as you say, based on what the Prime Minister has said, based on what the European Commission is saying, around about the autumn of this year, we should have some clarity about that future relationship.

“That’s when I’ll be able to look at that and make a judgement about what I think the next appropriate steps are for Scotland and I will then report that to the Scottish Parliament and to the people of Scotland.”

"I still believe independence is the best future for Scotland."

Sturgeon also said that she "cannot and will not" recommend to the Scottish Parliament approval of the EU Withdrawal Bill in its current form.

The First Minister said the Bill amounted to a power grab and that she was continuing to seek agreement with the UK Government on the issue.

Responding to a quesiton about legislative consent process – a convention that will see the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly vote on the Bill – Sturgeon said it was "unthinkable" that the views of the two parliaments would be ignored.

It comes as the Scottish Government prepares to publish a report tomorrow analysing the impacts of various types of Brexit.

Sturgeon was asked by Marr about what happens if the Scottish Government was to refuse "legislative approval" for the EU Withdrawal Bill. 

“The legislative consent process is a convention, I’ve never said otherwise … but I think it is unthinkable that the House of Commons, the UK Government would ignore, not just the views of the Scottish Parliament, but the Welsh Assembly as well," said the First Minister.

“We’ve never been in this territory before, so you asked my what will happen. Now we are trying to plan for our part of what will happen, we have this week announced that we have a continuity bill of our own that we will introduce to the Scottish Parliament.

“But let me be clear, right now, and I think if the first minister of Wales was sitting here he would say exactly the same as I’m about to say: right now I cannot and will not recommend to the Scottish Parliament approval of the Withdrawal Bill because it is a power grab on the powers of the Scottish Parliament.

“We are seeking to come to an agreement with the UK Government, they’re dragging their heels, months into these discussion we are no further forward," continued Sturgeon. 

"Now I hope that changes over the next few weeks but I would argue to the UK Government that it’s in their interests, as well as it is about doing the right thing, it is in their interest to get agreement because otherwise the Scottish Parliament will not approve this Bill."

Marr then put it to the First Minister that Theresa May could just turn her back on any rejection of the Bill from the Scottish Parliament and continue on regardless, knowing that Scotland has no real power to do anything.

“If that’s Theresa May’s message to Scotland then it’s hardly a particularly positive message to Scotland," replied Sturgeon.

“It would be a message to Nicola Sturgeon, not to Scotland,” interjected Marr.

“Well it begins to sound like it’s a message to Scotland as well," continued the First Minister, "which is Theresa May saying she can do whatever she likes to Scotland because Scotland is powerless.

"Scotland cannot ever be in a position where it allows itself to be powerless.

“Whatever future Scotland chooses, and it is always a matter for the Scottish people, not for me or any particular politician, it must be a future we choose ourselves, not one that is imposed upon us by Theresa May or whoever her successor may turn out to be.”