Scottish Court Says Case Seeking Clarification About Independence Vote Premature

The Scottish Saltire flag flies next to the British Union Jack flag with the London Eye wheel seen behind in London, Britain, on July 29, 2019. Toby Melville/Reuters

LONDON—Scotland’s top civil court has dismissed a case which sought a ruling that the Scottish parliament could hold an independence referendum without permission from London, saying it was premature and hypothetical.

Independence campaigner Martin Keatings wanted legal backing for his argument the Scottish parliament had the authority to hold a new vote on secession without the explicit approval of the United Kingdom government.