First minister Nicola Sturgeon’s plan for a new Scottish independence referendum is inching forward after a date was set for MSPs to debate the plan.
The Scottish parliament will stage a two day debate beginning on Tuesday next week, with a vote taking place on Wednesday.
MSPs will vote on a motion to ask parliaments in Westminster and Holyrood to agree a Section 30 order, effectively granting Scotland the right to set its own referendum.
It is not yet known whether Sturgeon will speak in the debate, but her Scottish National Party is likely to win, despite being a minority administration.
While both the Scottish Labour and Conservative parties are against a referendum, the Greens have offered Sturgeon the support she needs to pass the motion.