BLACKFORD SAYS INDYREF2 ON SCHEDULE ALL SYSTEMS GO

He vows to scrap nukes despite new threat from Russia

- TORCUIL CRICHTON

IAN Blackford says next year's indyref2 plan is on schedule and an independent Scotland would be committed to getting rid of nuclear weapons despite the renewed Russian threat.

The SNP Westminster leader has in the past said that the war in Ukraine should not affect plans for a second referendum.

But senior SNP figures have openly doubted the 2023 deadline and Boris Johnson has completely ruled out granting powers to stage a vote.

Asked directly by the BBC's Sophy Raworth on Sunday if there would be a referendum next year, Blackford replied the SNP had a manifesto commitment to delivering an independence vote.