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SNP deputy leader Angus Robertson says Scotland 'will have its referendum' Nicola Sturgeon 'up for discussion' on referendum date
(35 minutes later)
A second Scottish independence vote "will take place" despite Theresa May's view that "now is not the time", the SNP conference has been told. Scotland's first minister has told the BBC she wants to find a referendum date that both sides can agree on.
The party's deputy leader Angus Robertson said it would be "totally unacceptable" for Westminster to deny a referendum before Brexit is finalised. Nicola Sturgeon said she was "up for continued discussion" with Theresa May on the matter.
Meanwhile, Mrs May has used a speech in Wales to defend "our precious Union". The prime minister insisted this week that "now was not the time" to hold a second independence referendum.
The PM indicated this week that her government would not approve the SNP's preferred timetable for a referendum. And she indicated that the UK government would not give approval to the SNP's preferred timetable of between autumn 2018 and spring 2019.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon believed it was imperative for a vote on Scotland's constitutional future to take place once a deal had been agreed on the UK exiting the European Union. Ms Sturgeon believed it was imperative for a vote on Scotland's constitutional future to take place once a deal had been agreed on the UK exiting the European Union.
At the earliest, that is expected in March 2019. The focus on an Scottish independence referendum comes as the SNP meet for their spring conference in Aberdeen.
Ms Sturgeon has pinpointed the best time for a referendum would be between autumn 2018 and spring 2019. On the first day of the gathering, the party's deputy leader Angus Robertson said it would be "totally unacceptable" for Westminster to deny a referendum before Brexit was finalised.
In his speech to the conference in Aberdeen, Mr Robertson said: "Let there be no doubt - Scotland will have its referendum and the people of this country will have their choice. They will not be denied their say." In his speech to the conference in Aberdeen, the SNP MP said: "Let there be no doubt - Scotland will have its referendum and the people of this country will have their choice. They will not be denied their say."
He added: "Scotland's referendum is going to happen and no UK prime minister should dare to stand in the way of Scotland's democracy."He added: "Scotland's referendum is going to happen and no UK prime minister should dare to stand in the way of Scotland's democracy."
However, Mrs May, who is to speak to the Welsh Conservative spring forum, will say she is working for "the whole country". Analysis
She is launching her "plan for a brighter future". By the BBC's Scotland editor Sarah Smith
The SNP conference got under way just 24 hours after the Scottish and UK governments clashed over a second independence referendum. Speaking to me today, Ms Sturgeon indicated she might be prepared to discuss the timing of another vote with Mrs May.
The Scottish government want a referendum between Autumn 2018 and Spring 2019.
It looks like they would be prepared to negotiate a different, later, date.
However, it is not yet clear that the UK government are prepared to talk about a date.
The PM did say "now is not the time" for another referendum. She didn't say never. So, will she talk about holding a vote in the future?
That seems to be the question today.
Read more from Sarah
The SNP conference got under way just 24 hours after the Scottish and UK governments clashed over a second referendum.
Ms Sturgeon insisted that a referendum should go ahead on her timescale.Ms Sturgeon insisted that a referendum should go ahead on her timescale.
It followed Mrs May rejecting calls for a second independence vote before Brexit.It followed Mrs May rejecting calls for a second independence vote before Brexit.
'Bad for us all''Bad for us all'
A key theme of the prime minister's speech to the Welsh Conservative forum meeting in Cardiff was a defence of the UK. Meanwhile, Mrs May used a speech in Wales to defend the UK.
She said the "precious bond" between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland was much more that just "constitutional artefact".She said the "precious bond" between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland was much more that just "constitutional artefact".
Mrs May went on to say that a second Scottish independence referendum would be "bad for Scotland, bad for the United Kingdom, and bad for us all". Mrs May went on to tell a gathering of Conservatives in Cardiff that a second Scottish independence referendum would be "bad for Scotland, bad for the United Kingdom, and bad for us all".
The prime minister added: "The coming negotiations with the EU will be vital for everyone in the United Kingdom.The prime minister added: "The coming negotiations with the EU will be vital for everyone in the United Kingdom.
"Every person, every family, every business, every community the length and breadth of the United Kingdom - England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland."Every person, every family, every business, every community the length and breadth of the United Kingdom - England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
"As the prime minister of this United Kingdom, I will always ensure the voices and interests of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are represented as we negotiate to leave the EU.""As the prime minister of this United Kingdom, I will always ensure the voices and interests of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are represented as we negotiate to leave the EU."
Mrs May had already accused the SNP of forcing a "fundamentally unfair" independence referendum that would damage Brexit negotiations.Mrs May had already accused the SNP of forcing a "fundamentally unfair" independence referendum that would damage Brexit negotiations.
Writing in the Times, she said: "The SNP is trying to force the UK government to agree to something that is fundamentally unfair to the Scottish people.Writing in the Times, she said: "The SNP is trying to force the UK government to agree to something that is fundamentally unfair to the Scottish people.
"It wants to ask them to make a crucial decision without the necessary information."It wants to ask them to make a crucial decision without the necessary information.
"They would not know what the new partnership with the EU would look like, or what the alternative of an independent Scotland would be. It would simply not be fair.""They would not know what the new partnership with the EU would look like, or what the alternative of an independent Scotland would be. It would simply not be fair."
The article follows a television interview on Thursday, in which she said "all our energies" should be focused on negotiations with the European Union.The article follows a television interview on Thursday, in which she said "all our energies" should be focused on negotiations with the European Union.
At the SNP conference later, Deputy First Minister John Swinney will address domestic Scottish matters as the parties in Scotland prepare for May's local government elections.At the SNP conference later, Deputy First Minister John Swinney will address domestic Scottish matters as the parties in Scotland prepare for May's local government elections.
Mr Swinney said the spring conference, which will be attended by 2,500 delegates, would "underline our party's top priorities of education, the economy and our public services".Mr Swinney said the spring conference, which will be attended by 2,500 delegates, would "underline our party's top priorities of education, the economy and our public services".
Speaking to the BBC's Today programme, he said the Scottish Parliament would discuss the request to hold another Scottish independence referendum next week and he was confident a vote to ask for one would be passed.
Mr Swinney said it would then be up to Mrs May to "recognise the democratic wishes of the people of Scotland".
He told presenter John Humphrys: "The PM has the capacity to change her mind. Theresa May has demonstrated big style this week that she has to change her mind in the face of political reality. Theresa May would be ill-advised to stand in the way."