Theresa May rejects Nicola Sturgeon's plan for second Scottish independence referendum

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Theresa May rebuffed Nicola Sturgeon today by saying “now is not the time” for another Scottish independence referendum.

The Prime Minister ruled it out until after the Brexit deal is completed - ripping up the Scottish Nationalist leader’s demands for a poll in 18 months to two years.

Mrs May said the Government and the Scottish executive should join forces to get a “good deal” in talks with the European Union rather than fight a divisive campaign.

“I think just now we should be putting all our energies into getting that good deal,” she said.

Electrifying battle: Theresa May and Nicola Sturgeon
PA

“We should be working together, not pulling apart.

“Working together to get that right deal for Scotland and for the UK.

“For that reason I say to the SNP, ‘now is not the time’.”

Mrs May’s refusal was calculated to drive a wedge between Ms Sturgeon, the First Minister at Edinburgh, and the voters of Scotland who, according to polls, are lukewarm about another referendum.

The battle between the two powerful woman leaders for the future of the United Kingdom is now the most electrifying contest in British politics.

Mrs May acted hours after the Queen signed the Act of Parliament authorising the Government to take Britain out of the European Union.

Speaker John Bercow announced the historic milestone to the Commons, sparking tensions with rival parties and business groups over the Prime Minister’s plans for Brexit terms.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan called for a new visa process to help EU nationals legally in the UK to apply for permanent residency.

Mr Khan said the current system involved a “tsunami” of paperwork and was not fit for purpose.

He also urged the Government to give an “immediate” cast iron guarantee to the 3.3 million EU citizens living here.

The Mayor told the Standard: “It is quite clearly completely unacceptable that hard working people who have made their lives here and have contributed to our economy are now in fear of their long-term future.”

Under the current system, people must fill in an 85-page form and provide copious documents.

Brexit Secretary David Davis said: “By the end of the month we will invoke Article 50, allowing us start our negotiations to build a positive new partnership with our friends and neighbours in the European Union, as well as taking a step out into the world as a truly Global Britain.”

He urged Conservative donors: “If you are giving the Tories so much as a penny you are funding your own funeral.”

Mrs May will confirm in a party speech in Wales tomorrow that she intends to trigger Brexit talks by moving Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty at the end of this month.

The other 27 EU countries will hold a summit next week without Mrs May to consider their response to what the Prime Minister has called the “defining moment”.

The European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Act, authorising Brexit, was required by the Supreme Court which ruled that the Government needed the permission of Parliament first.

The Square Mile warned the Prime Minister not to risk the financial sector in London by having a hard Brexit.

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