Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed a second vote on Scottish independence is being postponed as she announced a "reset" of the timetable set out for another referendum.
Last March, the Scottish parliament backed Ms Sturgeon's bid to hold a new referendum in 2018 or early 2019, but British Prime Minister Theresa May had refused to enter into discussions on the proposal.
"We will not seek to introduce the legislation for an independence referendum immediately," Ms Sturgeon said, adding that she would still aim to offer a new vote on secession after it was clear what Britain's decision to leave the European Union meant.
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says a second vote on Scottish independence is being postponed https://t.co/jKukz1sWZP pic.twitter.com/vHo1ZfzROW
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Ms Sturgeon had originally argued another ballot over independence was necessary to give Scots - who voted to stay in the European Union in last year's referendum - an alternative to the "hard Brexit" being pursued by the Tories.
She has insisted that the Scottish government "remains committed strongly to the principle of giving Scotland a choice at the end of this process".
Ms Sturgeon said having reflected on the issue in the wake of the UK general election - in which the SNP's share of the vote fell from 50% to 30% as the party lost 21 Westminster constituencies - she wanted to reassure people.
The First Minister said she still wanted to give people a choice at the end of the Brexit process when "clarity has emerged" about how the move will impact Scotland and the UK.
In the meantime, she said ministers would "in good faith redouble our efforts and put our shoulder to the wheel in seeking to influence the Brexit talks in a way that protects Scotland's interests".
