Scottish independence plans ‘paused’

Constitution Secretary Mike Russell has confirmed that the Scottish Government is no longer planning to hold an independence referendum this year.

He said the plans had been ‘paused’ due to the coronavirus pandemic, and that the decision would allow the government to focus all of its resources on the health crisis.

Russell also urged the UK government to place a similar pause on the EU negotiations in the Brexit process, stressing that it would seem ‘impossible’ businesses to cope with the enormous challenge of coronavirus ‘while at the same time preparing for a completely new relationship with the EU in nine months' time’.

The letter, which was sent to cabinet minister, Michael Gove, said: "Because of the crisis, the Scottish government has paused work on preparing for an independence referendum this year. We have also written to the Electoral Commission to make clear we do not expect it to undertake testing of a referendum question until public health circumstances permit such activity. That will allow us to focus all available resource on current and future demands in what is an unprecedented set of circumstances. It follows from this that a referendum will not be held this year."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has already ruled out granting the formal consent that Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said would be needed to ensure any referendum would be legal.