Scotland’s First Minister told Holyrood: “COVID has presented us with significant challenges but these challenges are being compounded completely unnecessarily by Brexit. “The UK Government’s decision to not seek an extension to the transition period despite the economic problems caused by COVID will cause avoidable harm to many Scottish businesses.
“It is an act of self-sabotage that we simply do not understand but must nevertheless respond to.”
She added: “Brexit and the way in which Brexit is being implemented immeasurably strengthens the case for Scotland becoming an independent country with the ability to shape our own destiny.
“If this was a programme for Government in an independent Scotland, we wouldn’t have to contemplate the damage of Brexit at all.
“Brexit and the way in which Brexit is being implemented immeasurably strengthens the case for Scotland becoming an independent country with the ability to shape our own destiny.
“That is why before the end of this parliament we will publish a draft bill setting out the proposed terms and timing of an independence referendum as well as the proposed question that people will be asked in that referendum.”
More to follow…
