Scotland taking steps towards referendum for independence from Britain

The Scottish leader said Scotland needed to have a referendum before declaring independence

Scotland is already taking steps to hold a referendum on independence and believes it is a matter of when rather than if the country separates from the rest of Britain, Scotland's First Minister said on Monday.

"We should agree a process between ourselves and the UK government for a referendum in line with the clear mandate given by the people of Scotland," Nicola Sturgeon told a news conference in Brussels on her first foreign trip since Britain left the European Union.

"We are taking in Scotland the steps required to ensure that a referendum can be held that is legal and legitimate