Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has revealed more details about plans for the country to have a second vote over leaving the United Kingdom after Brexit.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
And she confirmed that before the end of this year she would formally request the power for the Scottish parliament at Holyrood in Edinburgh to stage a referendum from UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
She told activists at her Scottish National Party conference: "I don't know about you but I'm utterly sick of Westminster. I'm sick of Brexit."
Ms Sturgeon said the Scottish Government would have completed its legislative preparations for a future independence vote by the new year.
She added: "We are already working to update the independence prospectus. And I can confirm today that before the end of this year, I will demand the transfer of power that puts the legality of a referendum beyond any doubt."
She added: "For Scotland, the hope lies in becoming an independent nation. Be in no doubt about this. We are winning the case for independence."
But opposition Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said: "The last thing our communities need is more division and uncertainty, but that is exactly what Nicola Sturgeon is proposing.
"The SNP's plans for independence could result in a hard border between Scotland and England which would cost jobs, hurt our public services and divide families."
Australian Associated Press