Nicola Sturgeon has made a bid to be part of the Brexit negotiations amid reports she will tie her independence strategy closely to the UK’s exit from the EU.
The First Minister will “re-brand” a second ballot as a vote on the finalised UK deal to quit Brussels, according to The Scottish Sun.
Ms Sturgeon, who has written to Prime Minister Theresa May demanding a seat at the negotiating table, did not deny the story outright but said much of the speculation about another referendum was “nonsense”.
1/3 Most of media speculation about #ScotRef is nonsense. I'll set out way forward in due course after talking to people across @theSNP
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) June 14, 2017
3/3 in meantime, @scotgov will focus on trying to influence Brexit talks – a Tory led hard Brexit is simply not acceptable post #GE2017
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) June 14, 2017
The Scottish Conservatives have criticised the move, saying it’s time the Scottish Government focused on the day job.
Murdo Fraser, the shadow finance secretary, said: “Nicola Sturgeon has lost the plot. Fewer than 40 per cent of voters last week supported the SNP’s reckless plan for a second referendum.
“Yet now we learn she is secretly planning to put it back on the table.
“The First Minister only wants to listen to those in her own party on this issue, and she’s turning a tin ear to everyone outside the SNP who just want a break from her political games.
“Her panicked attempt to refute these plans will fool no-one.”
Scottish Labour election manager James Kelly said: “Scotland won’t be fooled by Nicola Sturgeon’s desperate plan to rebrand her divisive referendum. The Nationalists can rebrand all they want.
“It’s not ScotRef, it’s indyref2: the sequel – and Scots have made it clear they don’t want to see it.”
The UK Government is seemingly divided over how to approach negotiations to leave the EU with talks due to start next week.
It has been reported that Chancellor Philip Hammond is pushing for a “softer” exit, and Scottish Conservative leader has argued for an “open Brexit”, but hard-line Brexiteers are warning against the Prime Minister “backsliding” on last year’s referendum result.
Meanwhile, the Department for Exiting the EU has lost its two junior ministers in a further sign of chaos within Whitehall.
In her letter to Mrs May, Ms Sturgeon urged her to stay within the single market, which provides freedom of trade and people, as well as the customs union, which maintains standards across borders.
The SNP leader wrote: “Removing the UK, and Scotland in particular, from the European Single Market and Customs Union, will cause severe long-term economic damage, hitting jobs, growth and living standards.
“It is therefore essential that membership of the European Single Market, and participation in the EU Customs Union is protected.
“During the election you sought a mandate for your proposals to leave the European Single Market. That proposal failed to garner support, it is now clear that a new proposal is needed urgently to protect the economy and bring people together.”
She said a paper drawn up by her ministers last year, Scotland’s Place In Europe, was a “blueprint for this approach” and demanded devolved administrations are part of the negotiations.
