Scottish Parliament to decide whether to push for independence vote

On Wednesday, MSPs will be asked at Holyrood to back the Scottish Government in a fight for a second independence referendum, which the SNP has said should be held before the end of 2020.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will lead the debate with a majority of MSPs backing independence due to SNP members being supplemented by members of the Scottish Greens.

A Section 30 order is currently required to devolve powers from Westminster to the Scottish Parliament to decide if there can be a second vote on independence.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has already rejected a Section 30 order request.

The motion also says there has been a “material change in circumstances'' since the last vote in 2014, in the form of the UK's decision to leave the EU.

The debate will take place two days before the UK is due to leave the EU and on the same day the Withdrawal Agreement will be voted on in the European Parliament.

The First Minister is also expected to make a speech on Friday, as the UK prepares to leave the EU, before party figures attend protest events to highlight Scotland's 62% Remain vote in the 2016 EU referendum.

The Wednesday address will look to outline the “next steps'' of the Scottish Government to secure independence.

The First Minister said: “Friday will be a sad day for Scotland as we are taken out of the European Union against our will.

“While the impacts on business and citizens may not be immediate, there is no doubt that from 11pm on Friday January 31 there will have been a material change in Scotland's circumstances against the wishes of the vast majority of people in Scotland.

“It will also be clear that a future in Europe can only be achieved by Scotland becoming an independent country - and it is hope of a better future that must now be our focus.''

She added: “This week I will ask Parliament to endorse the mandate the people have given us to put the question of Scotland's future back to them in a new public vote.

“On Friday, I will then set out the next steps as we continue the campaign to secure Scotland's future as an independent nation.''

Scottish Brexit Secretary Mike Russell will update Parliament on the Scottish Government's involvement in the next phase of Brexit negotiations, something the Cabinet Secretary has been pushing for.

The Scottish Government has also announced plans to relaunch the Hey Europe campaign, which is designed to ensure Scotland is seen to be a welcoming place for EU nationals.

There are also plans to fly the European flag from St Andrews House in Edinburgh - the Scottish Government's administrative base - over the weekend, following the decision to remove the European flag from outside the Scottish Parliament at 11pm on Friday.The Scottish Parliament to vote on whether or not there is a mandate for a second Independence Referendum

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