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

Scotland's First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), Nicola Sturgeon, walks in a street as she campaigns for the Scottish parliamentary election in Edinburgh, Britain, April 30, 2021. Jane Barlow/Pool via 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.

"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."

Scotland's First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), Nicola Sturgeon, poses for a photo as she campaigns for the Scottish parliamentary election in Edinburgh, Britain, April 30, 2021. Jane Barlow/Pool via REUTERS

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)

A member of the public tries to speak with Scotland's First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), Nicola Sturgeon, through a coffee shop window as she campaigns for the Scottish parliamentary election in Edinburgh, Britain, April 30, 2021. Jane Barlow/Pool via REUTERS

Scotland's First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), Nicola Sturgeon, poses for a photo with party candidates and activists as she campaigns for the Scottish parliamentary election in Edinburgh, Britain, April 30, 2021. Jane Barlow/Pool via REUTERS