Theresa May’s Brexit speech makes second Scottish indyref more likely – Nicola Sturgeon

Theresa May’s Tuesday Brexit speech which is perceived to be in favour of pro Brexit group appears to have given more momentum to Nicola Sturgeon’s call for a second Scottish independence referendum.

Last year, the Scottish Government presented a conciliation proposals to No. 10 where methods for keeping Scotland in the EU single market were spelt out, even if the rest of the UK decides to leave the EU.

Nevertheless, Ms Sturgeon has criticised the Prime Minister's speech for ignoring Scotland's interests despite the fact that the Scottish people voted in favour of remaining in the EU in the June 23 referendum.

During an interview with Sky News, Sturgeon said: "It's very clear the Prime Minister is taking the UK down the road of a hard Brexit.

"It's not been driven by the interests of the country and it's been driven by the interests of the hard right of her own party. I think that is deeply regrettable."

"Scotland can't be taken down a path that we didn't vote for and is against our interests.

"We put forward proposals, we continue to take decisions in an orderly manner, but I'm not prepared to allow Scotland's interests to be steamrollered."

In a statement, she added: "The UK Government cannot be allowed to take us out of the EU and the single market, regardless of the impact on our economy, jobs, living standards and our reputation as an open, tolerant country, without Scotland having the ability to choose between that and a different future."

"With her comments on Tuesday, the Prime Minister has only succeeded in making that choice more likely."

The UK's devolved nations will discuss the Brexit developments later this week at a meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee.

However, growing view of an independence referendum has incited scorn from Scotland's opposition parties.

On the contrary, Ruth Davidson MSP, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, told Sky News: "Nicola Sturgeon would have said that an independence referendum and independence was more likely no matter what the Prime Minister said because that's what Nicola Sturgeon does.

"She's a nationalist, she agitates for independence. I think what's important, though, when it comes to the free trade element is what the Prime Minister said.

"She said that she wants to have a deal wherein British and Scottish businesses can trade as freely as they can with the other 27 states of the EU and forge trade deals with other nations too."

"That's what our businesses in Scotland want. Nicola Sturgeon says she also wants free trade but she doesn't want to sign up to a trade deal. She just wants to use it as another lever for independence.

"Frankly, she should get behind the Prime Minister and stop agitating to break up Britain."