Nicola Sturgeon: Brexit ruling makes need for independence vote clearer

Nicola Sturgeon has challenged voters in Scotland to decide whether they are content to have the country’s fate decided by rightwing Tories in London or vote for independence.

The first minister again raised the prospect of a snap referendum on independence after the UK Supreme Court unanimously rejected her argument that Holyrood had to be consulted about triggering article 50.

In an angry attack on the UK government’s approach to Scotland’s pro-EU stance, Sturgeon said the ruling meant all Westminster assurances that Scotland was an equal partner in the union were worthless.

“This raises fundamental issues above and beyond that of EU membership. Is Scotland content for our future to be dictated by an increasingly right-wing Westminster government with just one MP here, or is it better that we take our future into our own hands?” she said.