Scotland's Sturgeon says wouldn't propose independence referendum immediately

[April 30, 2021]    LONDON (Reuters) - Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon said she wouldn't propose a referendum on Scottish independence immediately, as she wants to make sure the country is clear of the coronavirus pandemic first.

Scotland's First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), Nicola Sturgeon and local candidate Fergus Mutch walk as they camaign ahead of the upcoming Scottish Parliament election, in Insch, Scotland, Britain April 29, 2021. Jeff J Mitchell/Pool via REUTERS

"I don't believe we should propose a referendum right at this moment," Sturgeon told BBC Radio.

"I'm a lifelong believer in independence, I want Scotland to be independent, but firstly we've got to steer the country through the crisis."

Sturgeon's party, the Scottish National Party, have pledged to hold a new referendum by the end of 2023 if they win a majority in an election on May 6.

(Reporting by Sarah Young and Kate Holton. Editing by Andrew MacAskill)

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