May meets Sturgeon after blocking Scotland’s second independence referendum

UK Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday held her first meeting with Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon since blocking Scotland's bid for a second independence referendum.

Theresa May and Nicola Sturgeon held talks for about an hour, just a day before Scotland's devolved assembly resumes a debate on independence that is expected to give Sturgeon authority to demand a second referendum.

The two leaders have traded verbal blows since Sturgeon made her call for a fresh referendum in the second half of 2018 or the first half of 2019, before Britain leaves the European Union

In order to hold a legally binding poll, Edinburgh must be granted an “Order in Council” under Section 30 of the 1998 Scotland Act, which granted devolution. However, after three days of prevarication, the Prime Minister made clear the request would be blocked, insisting “now is not the time”.

Sturgeon described the talks as business-like and cordial, but said she was "frustrated by a process that appears not to be listening,” with no guarantees from May that any powers coming back to the UK from the EU would be devolved onto Scotland.

"I had been under the impression ... that she was coming to offer something in the way of more powers (for Scotland)," she told the BBC. "It turned out that wasn't the case."

Sturgeon has said that a fresh vote is needed ahead of Brexit to allow the people of Scotland to choose which path to follow.

The Prime Minister had earlier repeated her opposition to an independence referendum during the Brexit process, saying unity was crucial to Britain winning a good divorce deal from the European Union in talks that she will formally begin on Wednesday.

Ahead of the meeting, the prime minister said leaving the European Union would be an opportunity to strengthen the ties between the nations of the United Kingdom.