Nicola Sturgeon has refused to be drawn on whether a second Scottish independence referendum could be held in 2021 – despite the SNP Westminster leader indicating that such a vote could be held towards the end of the year.
Ian Blackford insisted that a vote on Scotland leaving the United Kingdom could take place “as early as late 2021”.
His comments drew a furious reaction from opposition politicians, with Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross insisting such a vote would be “reckless and wholly irresponsible”.
Ms Sturgeon, asked about the prospect of holding a second independence vote in 2021 at her coronavirus briefing, said: “I am not getting into political questions right now.”