Scottish Government cancels plans for second independence referendum this year in response to coronavirus crisis

The Scottish Government has confirmed there will be no second independence referendum this year as all its efforts are focused on tackling the coronavirus.

In a letter to the UK cabinet minister Michael Gove, Scotland's cabinet secretary for government business and constitutional relations, Michael Russell, said ministers had halted work on the plans as a result of the pandemic.

He said plans to ask the Electoral Commission to test a possible referendum question had also been shelved.

But he also called on the UK government to halt Brexit trade deal negotiations for at least six months.

Scottish Conservative shadow constitution secretary Murdo Fraser praised the SNP government's move as “very much in keeping with the spirit of co-operation” fostered by the coronavirus outbreak.

He said: “Since the scale of this outbreak became clear, it’s been necessary for all governments and political parties to work together. This announcement from Mike Russell is very much in keeping with that spirit.

“Now we can really dedicate all our efforts to enduring this crisis, supporting those who will be worst hit, and ensure we can come out the other side looking forward to a bright future.”

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