An independence referendum will take place in Scotland by the end of next year, according to the SNP Constitution Secretary.
Angus Robertso n was asked at the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee at Holyrood earlier today if he believed a vote would go ahead as planned for the end of 2023.
He replied: "Yes."
Robertson was grilled alongside Finance Secretary Kate Forbes at the committee as it discussed the Resource Spending Review which was announced last week.
Forbes set out what the SNP /Green government would be spending money on over the next four financial years with £20m set aside of a referendum in 2023.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has repeatedly stuck to her manifesto pledge of holding a vote next year, but many are questioning if one will go ahead given potential legal challenges and unfavourable polling for those wanting independence.
Committee member Donald Cameron asked Robertson and Forbes: "Do you think a referendum will happen by the end of 2023?"
Angus Robertson replied: "Yes. We can differ on how we would vote in such a such a referendum, but I would hope as democrats all of us believe in having democratic votes.
"When governments are returned in elections on a platform for votes to be held that we all as democrats should agree that that's what should happen."
"Yes, there's a cost that is associated with referenda. There's costs that are associated with Scottish Parliament elections, with the UK Parliament elections."
Kate Forbes replied to the same question by saying: "That is the intention, and certainly that is what we're working towards."
It comes after the government published limited extracts of its legal advice on holding a second vote on the constitution.
Documents do not comment on whether the Scottish Parliament can unilaterally organise another referendum.
It's believed the government would try to push ahead with the Holyrood-run vote if the UK Government refuses a joint agreement.
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