UK top court says Scotland cannot hold independence referendum without UK government's approval

FILE PHOTO: People walk out of the building that now houses the United Kingdom's Supreme Court in Westminster, central London September 14, 2009. REUTERS/Andrew Winning

LONDON (Reuters) - The United Kingdom's top court ruled on Wednesday that the Scottish government cannot hold a second referendum on independence next year without approval from the British parliament, dealing a blow to nationalists.

"The Scottish Parliament does not have the power to legislate for a referendum on Scottish independence," Robert Reed, the president of the UK Supreme Court, said.

(Reporting by Michael Holden; editing by Andrew MacAskill)