Sturgeon says 'no rational reason' for UK to block second referendum
Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said there was "no rational reason" for the UK government to block a second Scottish independence referendum.
In a letter to Prime Minister Theresa May, Sturgeon asked for Section 30 order to allow the Edinburgh government to legislate for a referendum. The UK has flatly refused to countenance talks on a vote until after it has negotiated an exit from the European Union.
The Scottish parliament voted 69 to 59 to mandate Sturgeon to start talks with London on a second independence vote.
Sturgeon argues that as 62% of Scots voted to remain within the EU, the decision by May to take the UK out of the single market is contrary to the will of the majority.
In her letter to the May , Sturgeon said that she had failed to live up to her pledge to seek "a UK wide approach ahead of invoking Article 50" starting the Brexit process.
She added that "the voices of the devolved administrations were largely ignored and all attempts at compromise rejected, in most cases with no prior consultation".
"There appears to be no rational reason for you to stand in the way of the will of the Scottish Parliament and I hope you will not do so. However, in anticipation of your refusal to enter into discussions at this stage, it is important for me to be clear about my position."
"It is my firm view that the mandate of the Scottish Parliament must be respected and progressed. The question is not if, but how. I hope that will be by constructive discussion between our governments. However, if that is not yet possible, I will set out to the Scottish Parliament the steps I intend to take to ensure that progress is made towards a referendum."