NOW Scotland is in a “much improved situation” in terms of Covid, it is right that the Government has restarted work on Scottish independence preparations, the deputy first minister has said.
John Swinney spoke to the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland programme after Nicola Sturgeon pledged to set out her timetable for another referendum in the coming weeks.
Swinney, who is also the Covid Recovery Secretary, told listeners: “What we’ve said all along is that when we get out of the intensity of Covid, we will start the preparations for the independence referendum and that’s exactly what the Government has done.
"We took the sensible decision back in March 2020 to pause all preparations for an independence referendum despite having a mandate to do so.
"We now find ourselves in a position where we are in a much improved situation. We have very modest measure left in place to protect against Covid.”
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon gives indyref2 update and says Yes support is rising
Swinney said that “as soon as the detail is formulated it will be shared with the public and parliament”.
The First Minister has previously stated that she would do “everything … within my power” to provide another referendum by the end of 2023.
On Sunday, she said the Government would decide “within weeks” when it would introduce legislation for a new vote.
“Support for independence, I believe is rising,” she told the presenter.
“I think when Scotland comes to choose, we will choose independence, not just because of the current occupant in Number 10. But what that is illustrating very powerfully is the fact that Scotland too often ends up with things imposed upon us – Brexit, for example, or being governed by people and by parties that we don't choose.
“And all of that is the price of not being independent. Being independent is not some magic wand that takes away all challenges that we will face, but it puts our destiny, our fate, our future in our own hands … I believe that’s what people in Scotland will choose when they get the opportunity.”
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