Nicola Sturgeon ‘will not challenge Westminster’s refusal to sanction another independence referendum in court’

Nicola Sturgeon will not challenge Westminster’s refusal to sanction another independence referendum in court, according to sources.

The First Minster is expected to reaffirm her determination to hold a second poll this year at Holyrood on Wednesday.

Her speech follows the Prime Minister’s rejection of her demand for the transfer of powers to hold referendums to Holyrood.

Campaigners have raised over £40,000 to challenge the decision through the courts.

It is understood that Sturgeon will not include an immediate legal challenge by ministers in her update to MSPs.

Instead, it is expected she will reiterate why she believes there is a “cast-iron” mandate for a fresh vote on the constitution later this year.

She has been working on it by instructing civil servants to draw up a White Paper making the case for independence.

Scottish Tory chief whip Maurice Golden said: “This stunt is a disgrace.”

Scottish LibDem’s Willie Rennie said: “They should be straining every sinew to solve the crises in health and education. Sturgeon should give the constitutional chaos a break.”