British Prime Minister Theresa May has said that a second independence referendum in Scotland would set the country on course for "uncertainty and division".
Mrs May criticised Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon for demanding an independence referendum today, saying the Scottish National Party had "tunnel vision" on breaking away from the UK.
The tunnel vision that SNP has shown today is deeply regrettable.
"Instead of playing politics with the future of our country, the Scottish government should focus on delivering good government and public services for the people of Scotland. Politics is not a game," Mrs May added.
British PM Theresa May says Nicola Sturgeon's plans for a second Scottish independence referendum are 'deeply regrettable'. pic.twitter.com/BRzGRDZ5BX
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) March 13, 2017
It comes after Scotland's First Minister said she will seek authority for a new independence vote.
Speaking in Edinburgh this morning, Ms Sturgeon said she will take the steps necessary to make sure Scotland will have the choice over whether to become an independent country.
Ms Sturgeon said they must have a plan for Scotland for a way forward after Brexit is triggered, saying that doing nothing would mean letting Scotland drift through the next two years with fingers crossed.
If Scotland can be ignored on an issue as important as membership of the EU, she said, it is clear its voice and interest can be ignored at any time.
Nicola Sturgeon says if Scotland is to have a real choice, a new independence referendum should be held between autumn 2018 and spring 2019 pic.twitter.com/TnmvI6OeKW
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) March 13, 2017
It is not just the relationship with Europe that is at stake, but what kind of country Scotland will become, she added.
Ms Sturgeon said: "Whatever path we take it should be decided by us - not for us."
The timing and details of the referendum will be up to the Holyrood parliament but she said a new independence referendum should be held between autumn 2018 and spring 2019.
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Earlier in the news conference, she said it is important to report now on the Scottish government's attempts to find a compromise with the UK government on the issue of Brexit.
Scotland "stands at a hugely important crossroads ... we didn't choose to be in this position ... the stakes are high".
Scotland faces a future not just outside the EU but "outside the world's biggest single market", she said.
With "the collapse of the Labour Party we face a prolonged period of uninterrupted and unchecked Tory government " which could run "to 2030 or beyond".
Scotland faces "the centralisation of power in Westminster" and what is at stake is "to what extent can we determine our own direction of travel".
"What is at stake is the kind of country we will become ", she said.
"The prime minister has been given every opportunity to compromise", there is no UK plan for the way ahead, and our efforts at compromise have been "met with a brick wall of intransigence" and "a point blank refusal" to adopt a separate approach for Scotland.
"The language of partnership has gone completely", as the UK government increasingly asserts itself, muscling in.
"I am not turning my back on further discussions", she said.
"It is time for me to set out decisively" the way ahead for Scotland.
Downing Street said another referendum would be "divisive and cause huge economic uncertainty at the worst possible time."
Meanwhile, Labour’s Jeremy Corbyn has said the Scottish wing of his party will oppose a second independence referendum in the Scottish parliament.
However, Mr Corbyn said if the Scottish parliament supports the independence referendum, Labour will not block that decision in the UK parliament.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny refused to be drawn on any possible effect on Ireland. In a statement issued during his visit to the United States, Mr Kenny said: "The question of Scottish independence is a matter which is internal to the UK and Scotland.
"It is not appropriate for us to speculate about any possible scenarios around it.
"The Good Friday Agreement sets out the basis on which unification could arise by peaceful and democratic means.
"Our primary objective is to ensure that all aspects of the GFA are fully protected under Brexit."
Majority of Scots oppose independence vote before Brexit talks complete - poll
It comes as a poll has found a "clear majority" of Scots are against having another referendum on independence before the Brexit negotiations are over.
The BMG survey for Scotland's The Herald newspaper showed about four in 10 Scots support another vote on independence before Brexit happens.
The study also suggests the country is split 52-48 in favour of remaining in the Union, adding to findings that support for Scottish independence has increased following the Prime Minister's "hard Brexit" speech in January.
The newspaper said the findings show Scotland's future appears on a "knife-edge" as Theresa May prepares to begin the process of Britain leaving the European Union.
BMG Research interviewed 1,009 Scots aged 16 and over between 23-27 February.
It found that 41% supported independence, 44% opposed it, while 13% were unsure and 2% would not say.
When "don't knows" were ruled out, the results were 52% to 48% against independence.
Asked if there should be another independence vote before Brexit, 49% said no, 39% agreed and the remainder said they were unsure.
The results mean those who had a view were against another referendum in that timescale by 56% to 44%.
A BMG poll last month had Scots split at 51% to 49% on the principle of independence, when "don't knows" are excluded.
It showed the gap has narrowed since Mrs May confirmed her plans in January to take the UK out of the single market.
A similar poll before that speech showed 45.5% were Yes supporters and 54.5% backed No.
An Ipsos MORI poll for STV last week found 49% of Scots backed independence, with 51% wanting to stay in the UK. The results were split 50/50 among those likely to vote.
Dr Michael Turner, research director at BMG, told The Herald the latest results lend more weight to the view that support for the principle of Scottish independence rose after Mrs May's hard Brexit speech in January.
He said: "Though support for independence is up, there is still a clear majority against the idea of having another referendum before the Brexit negotiations are over.
"Excluding don't knows, some 56% of Scots reject the idea of holding another referendum until negotiations between the EU and UK are complete."
