‘We will find another lawful way to express will of Scots,’ says Nicola Sturgeon

Scotland's first minister sees general election as independence referendum after UK supreme court judgment on second poll

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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 could not legislate for another vote without Westminster approval.

At a news conference held hours after the judgment, Scotland's first minister 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."