Nicola Sturgeon will attempt to “derail” Brexit by outlining plans for a second independence referendum in a speech later today, according to reports.
The First Minister has previously called for Scotland to be given special treatment in Britain’s negotiations to leave the EU and one national newspaper has speculated she could name the date for a referendum as early as this week, if Theresa May does not agree to her wishes.
A tweet from Ms Sturgeon this morning revealed that she will make an “important speech” at 11.30am in Bute House “ahead of the triggering of Article 50”.
It is thought the speech will either be used to demand that the Prime Minister offer Scotland assurances ahead of Brexit negotiations or to call for a second referendum outright.
The First Minister could also use the speech to reveal further plans for any potential vote, with a preferred date, likely to be autumn 2018, also possibly being discussed.
Ms Sturgeon had been widely expected to move her party further towards a new vote on independence at the SNP party conference in Aberdeen this weekend but she may have felt the need to act amid speculation that Article 50 could be triggered sooner than expected.
MPs will debate the Article 50 bill in the commons later this afternoon. The bill will then pass back to the House of Lords, where it is expected to pass without impediment.
If the legal mechanism announcing Britain’s intention to leave the EU is passed, it could win royal assent as early as Tuesday, allowing Mrs May to begin the two-year process to leave.
