SNP to treat election as independence poll after UK court blocks referendum

Nicola Sturgeon has committed to running the next general election as a "de facto referendum" on Scottish independence, after the UK supreme court ruled unanimously that her government cannot legislate for another vote without Westminster approval.

- Libby Brooks Pippa Crerar Ben Quinn

At a news conference held hours after the judgment yesterday, Scotland's first minster said: "Today's ruling blocks one route to Scotland's voice being heard on independence ... We must and we will find another democratic, lawful and constitutional means by which the Scottish people can express their will. In my view, that can only be an election."

Downing Street immediately rejected the comments, while senior Westminster Tories said No 10's strategy now was simply to avoid the issue of another referendum.

The UK supreme court ruled that in the absence of an agreement between the two governments, as happened in advance of the 2014 independence vote, the Scottish parliament did not have the power to legislate for a referendum.

Sturgeon told reporters that she respected the ruling, but accused Westminster of showing "contempt" for Scotland's democratic will, a view echoed by pro-independence supporters gathered for rallies outside the Holyrood parliament and across the country last night.