Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, vowed she would seek to hold a “legal” second independence referendum, if necessary without UK government approval, if she wins elections for the parliament in Edinburgh in May.
Ms Sturgeon’s comments came as her governing Scottish National party held a virtual national assembly for members to discuss “alternative routes” to a referendum should Boris Johnson, prime minister, refuse to approve a vote.
In 2014 Scottish voters backed staying in the UK by 55 to 45 per cent, but dissatisfaction with Brexit — which 62 per cent opposed — and perceptions that Ms Sturgeon has handled the coronavirus crisis better than Mr Johnson have since helped build support for independence.