Nicola Sturgeon could stage a second independence referendum by Christmas if she wins a majority at the May elections, Mike Russell has argued.
The SNP’s constitution minister signalled a second referendum without the consent of the UK government could be held six months after Holyrood passes a bill.
With the SNP on course for a majority in the elections it is expected that the Scottish parliament could pass its own legislation for a referendum before the summer holidays in June.
Russell last week published an 11-point plan for independence that would see the Scottish government legislate for another referendum if Boris Johnson continues to refuse to grant one in a move that would spark a legal battle with Westminster.
In an online discussion Russell said the timing of a referendum would depend on the covid pandemic coming to an end but said the new parliament should move swiftly on the issue.
According to reports he added: “I think it’s really impossible to say when it will be. I hope very soon, but I think it is dependent upon the pandemic subsiding. Best practice for referendums suggests that six months should expire between the legislation and the referendum.”
Arguing for a speedy response to avoid further uncertainty, Russell said: “That six months is because electoral administrators need time to put in systems, but I do hope the new parliament moves without too much delay to that.”
Tory Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said that any referendum without a Section 30 order agreed with the UK government would be “illegal”.
He said: “I‘m afraid the constitution says it is a reserved matter, it would be an illegal referendum let’s be clear about that.”
Jack added: “The SNP’s own While Paper in 2014 talked about once in a generation, we can’t go into a process of neverendnums until eventually they get one they win.”
“We’re in a global pandemic, we’re going to have a double-dip recession the way things are going. It is about recovering our economy as one United Kingdom and after saving lives with this vaccine, saving livelihoods.”
Pamela Nash, chief executive of the por-UK Scotland in Union, said: “This is the latest reckless comment from Mr Russell, who is more interested in dividing Scotland than bringing us together as we recover from Covid.
“It is grossly irresponsible to even contemplate another referendum while people are losing their lives and livelihoods.
“And even if we weren’t in the midst of a global pandemic, the SNP has had six years to answer the question what currency a separate Scotland would use and can’t - so the idea it could resolve all the unanswered questions in six months is fanciful.”
