Scotland should hold new referendum if forced out of EU: Sturgeon

Nicola Sturgeon says her party's manifesto will say there should be a referendum

LONDON: Scotland should have the right to hold a new referendum on independence if the country is taken out of the European Union "against our will", the leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) said on Sunday.

Nicola Sturgeon said her party's manifesto before a local election next month would say there should be a referendum "if there is clear and sustained evidence that independence has become the preferred option of a majority of the Scottish people".



"Or if there is a significant and material change in the circumstances that prevailed in 2014, such as Scotland being taken out of the EU against our will," she added in a statement.

Britain is to hold a referendum on June 23 on whether to remain in, or leave, the 28-member EU bloc.