Nicola Sturgeon has announced the Scottish Government will "restart" work on making the case for independence after it was paused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The First Minister told MSPs today it was her intention to deliver an IndyRef2 before the end of 2023 and preparations would begin to deliver "a detailed prospectus" on how an independent Scotland would work.
But the SNP leader has stuck to her position that a referendum can only happen if the country has emerged from the pandemic.
Setting out her government's programme for the year ahead, Sturgeon reaffirmed her belief the mandate for a second vote was "beyond question".
Boris Johnson has repeatedly said now is not the time for a referendum and insisted the result of the 2014 referendum must be respected.
Sturgeon told MSPs: "Our democratic mandate to allow people to decide the country’s future is beyond question. And at this juncture in history, it is essential that we consider the kind of country we want to be, and how best to secure it.
"As we emerge from the pandemic, choices fall to be made that will shape our economy and society for decades to come.
"Which parliament - Westminster or Holyrood - should make these choices? And what principles will they be guided by?
"These are questions which cannot be avoided, nor postponed until the die is already cast. So we intend to offer the choice.
"We will do so only when the covid crisis has passed but our aim, covid permitting, is that it will be in the first half of this Parliament - before the end of 2023.
Sturgeon continued: "Crucially, we will ensure that the choice - when it comes - is a fully informed one.
"To that end, I can confirm that the Scottish Government will now restart work on the detailed prospectus that will guide the decision.
"The case for independence is strong and we will present it openly, frankly and with confidence."
The SNP last month signed a cooperation agreement with the Scottish Greens which hands them an overall majority of MSPs at Holyrood.
Both parties campaigned ahead of May's Scottish Parliament election on manifestos which contained a commitment to holding an IndyRef2, arguing that Brexit meant it was right Scots were asked again about their constitutional preference.
Responding to Sturgeon's statement, Douglas Ross pointed out the Programme for Government ran to 27 pages - but it took until just paragraph four before the First Minister mentioned independence.
The Scottish Conservatives leader said: "Nicola Sturgeon has put Scottish independence above Scottish jobs - separating Scotland is the top priority for her government, not a recovery.
"Their focus is on a referendum not the future of Scotland getting through this pandemic.
"This government should be pouring every single bit of time and effort into our economy, into tackling drug deaths, and intro remobilising our NHS.
"But no - they put independence at the forefront again."
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