Nicola Sturgeon urges patience on indyref2 as she predicts break-up of UK

The First Minister said she is confident Brexit will lead to independence for Scotland.

Nicola Sturgeon

Nicola Sturgeon has urged supporters of Scottish independence to have “patience”, as she predicted Brexit will lead to the break-up of the United Kingdom.

The First Minister insisted her wish to hold a second referendum later this year remains “perfectly realistic”, but she acknowledged it may not now take place until after the next Holyrood election in 2021.

She told supporters they must be prepared to “stay the course, even if sometimes it feels difficult”.

Speaking in Edinburgh on Brexit day, the SNP leader said told party activists: “We must make our case with passion but also with patience and respect.”

Her message came as she stressed that for Scotland to become independent, “a referendum, whenever it happens – whether it is this year as I want, or after the next Scottish election – must be legal and legitimate”.