May set 'to deny second Scottish independence referendum'

Theresa May is understood to be preparing to reject a demand by Nicola Sturgeon for a second Scottish referendum within the next two years.

Mrs May accused the First Minister of "playing politics with the future of our country" after Ms Sturgeon ambushed her by setting out plans for a new vote on Scottish independence on Monday.

The Prime Minister does not want to have to fight a battle on Scottish independence at the same time as she is carrying out the negotiations with Brussels over Brexit.

However, Ms Sturgeon said that Scotland would have a good idea of the deal the UK Government was on course to achieve from the EU between autumn 2018 and spring 2019 and a referendum should be held them.

:: Should PM trigger Brexit or beware the Ides of March?

The First Minister will seek the approval of Scottish Parliament for a new vote on independence next week but the governing Scottish National Party needs Westminster's approval to hold a referendum.

However, Ms Sturgeon was warned that an independent Scotland would leave the EU regardless of whether it was independent or part of the UK and would need to negotiate to join the bloc - which would mean joining the euro.

Ministers are said to be resigned to a second independence referendum but, according to The Times newspaper, Mrs May does not want it to take place within the next two years.

A government source told the newspaper: "The Prime Minister has said this would mean a vote while she was negotiating Brexit and I think that can be taken pretty clearly as a message that this timing is completely unacceptable."

In 2014, Scotland voted to stay part of the UK by 55.3% to 44.7%; but in the Brexit vote Scots voted to remain in the EU by 62% to 38%.

But Ms Sturgeon said Scotland was now at a "hugely important crossroads" and that she believed Scots would not vote to break away from the UK to stay in the EU.

"The Scottish Government's mandate for offering this choice is beyond doubt," said Ms Sturgeon.

Ms Sturgeon claimed Mrs May had put up a "brick wall" over Brexit arrangements but Mrs May denied this and accused the First Minister of having "tunnel vision".

She (Munich: SOQ.MU - news) said she was negotiating a deal for the "whole of the country".

The Prime Minister is expected to respond more fully to the referendum plans after it goes to the vote in Holyrood.

Polls since the Brexit vote have shown that support for Scottish independence has been relatively unchanged since the first referendum in 2014.

A Sky Data poll carried out after Ms Sturgeon's announcement on Monday found that Scottish voters also opposed holding a second referendum by 53% to 46%.

Ms Sturgeon announced her plans just hours before the Brexit bill cleared the House of Lords leaving Mrs May free to trigger Article 50 at any time.

There had been speculation that the Prime Minister could notify Brussels of the UK's intention to leave the EU on Tuesday but a Downing Street spokesman said it would not be until the end of the month.

Former UKIP leader Nigel Farage accused Mrs May of delaying because of the First Minister's referendum demand.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said it was "wrong to hold another (referendum) so soon" and that the party opposed independence.

However, he added that Labour would not block a second referendum if the Scottish Parliament votes for it.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson tweeted that Ms Sturgeon had "chosen the path of further division and uncertainty", while Lib Dem leader Tim Farron also said he opposed another vote.