LONDON (Oct 20): Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon publishes a draft bill for a second independence referendum on Thursday as she ramps up the pressure on the British government to make sure Scotland's voice is heard in Brexit talks. Although she has said she regards a second referendum as "highly likely", Thursday's bill is merely for formal consultation and sets no date for another vote. "The consultation beginning today will ensure that a referendum bill, if it is the chosen route, will - like the 2014 referendum - meet the gold standard of democracy and fairness," Sturgeon said in a statement. Sturgeon said earlier this month she wanted a bill in place to give her the possibility of calling another independence referendum before Britain formally leaves the EU - now expected by the end of March 2019. Polls show Scots would probably still reject secession from the 300-year-old union if a vote were held now and any binding second independence referendum would probably have to be agreed by the British government in London, which has said it considers the matter was settled in 2014.

Source: The Edge Markets October 19, 2016 23:03 UTC