Scottish government puts second independence referendum plans on hold until terms of Brexit are clear

Geoffroy Van Der Hasselt | AFP | Getty Images

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon delivers a speech during a media conference at the Scotland House in Brussels as she is on a one day visit to meet with EU officials, on June 29, 2016.

Sturgeon, who leads Scotland’s governing Scottish National Party, announced in March that she planned to push for a second referendum to be held between 2018 and 2019. But it appears those plans have been shelved for the meantime – although it was not indicated whether an independence referendum would be taken off the table completely.

“The Scottish government remains committed – strongly – to the principle of giving Scotland a choice at the end of this (Brexit) process,” she said. “But I want to reassure people that our proposal is not for a referendum now or before there is sufficient clarity about the options – but rather to give them a choice at the end of the Brexit process when that clarity has emerged.”

She added: “I am therefore confirming today that, having listened and reflected, the Scottish government will reset the plan I set out on March 13. We will not seek to introduce the legislation for an independence referendum immediately.”