Sturgeon to make ‘important speech’ before Article 50 debate

Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon is expected to offer the British government a last chance to compromise on Brexit terms in what she described as an “important speech” in Edinburgh this morning, ahead of the likely triggering of Article 50 later this week.

Ms Sturgeon has demanded concessions on the terms of the UK’s exit from the EU, including a specific mention for Scotland in the Article 50 letter, in order to avoid calling a second referendum on Scottish independence.

Pressure for another independence referendum has risen since the Brexit vote, in which 62 per cent of Scottish voters backed remaining in the EU. Recent polls have shown rising support for Scottish independence compared to the previous referendum in 2014, with two surveys in the last week showing a possible victory for the independence camp, albeit within the polling margin of error.