Cunninghame South MSP Ruth Maguire says it's only right Scots be offered a choice between a Tory hard Brexit and becoming an independent country. 

This follows First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirming plans to seek parliamentary approval to begin discussions with the UK government to bring forward an independence vote.

SNP MSP Ruth Maguire said it has become clear that the UK government has no intention of respecting Scotland’s 62 per cent vote to remain in the EU, and North Ayrshire’s 57 per cent vote.

Ruth said: “Throughout the entire Brexit process the Scottish Government has been consistent in its pursuit of a compromise with the UK government, putting forward substantial proposals for Scotland to remain in the single market – yet the UK government has rejected these and is pursuing an ever harder line.

“It is within this context, with the UK government intent on pursuing a damaging hard Brexit and set to trigger Article 50 without communicating with the devolved governments, that it has become ever clearer that the people of Scotland must be offered a choice over our future.

“The people of Scotland deserve to choose, once the terms of Brexit are clear and before it is too late to decide our own path, honouring the manifesto pledge that we were elected on last year.

“Scotland now stands at a crossroads, and we cannot drift along for two years hoping for the best.”