Nicola Sturgeon could be denied talks over another independence referendum until well after the next Scottish Parliament elections in 2021, Scottish Secretary David Mundell has suggested.
Mr Mundell said that Theresa May’s Government would not enter negotiations about a second vote until the Brexit "process” was complete.
That date could be delayed by the need for both transitional measures and a “significant" period of implementation, he added.
The UK's Brexit talks with Brussels are due to finish by March 2019.
But the Chancellor Philip Hammond has already warned that Britain could require an extra two-year-long ‘transitional' deal.
Business is also pressuring ministers for a gradual Brexit to prevent a “cliff edge” after the UK leaves the EU.
The Conservative Government’s own Brexit White Paper says that ministers will seek a "phased process" in order to deliver a “smooth, orderly exit” from the EU.
Changes to immigration law and customs may have to be brought in over time, the document states.
Mr Mundell told the BBC that the UK Government would be “declining" Ms Sturgeon's request for a section 30 order.
He added: “We won’t be entering into any negotiations at all until the Brexit process is complete.
“Now is the time for the Scottish Government to come together with the UK Government... to get the best possible deal for the UK - and, that will mean, for Scotland - until we leave the EU.
“We are not entering into negotiations on whether there should be another referendum during the Brexit process.
"We don’t have a crystal ball as to how long that process will take."
He added: "It may be a journey that will involve transitional measures, it may be a journey that will involve significant implementation time."
He said that it was "not appropriate" to have a referendum before voters knew "what the future relationship between the UK and the EU is. And they won't know that until the Brexit process is complete."
A UK Government source said: "It would not be fair to ask people the day after Brexit - as we have always said".
In the run up to the 2014 vote both the London and Edinburgh governments agreed that any referendum had to be “fair, legal and decisive”.
The White Paper says that any new immigration policy for EU nationals may require a "phased process of implementation”, designed to give businesses and individuals time to prepare.
Other areas where changes may have to take place over time include customs and the way the UK and the EU cooperate on criminal and civil justice matters.
The White Paper warns that the “time we need to phase in the new arrangements may differ; some might be introduced very quickly, some might take longer”.
However, it adds that this transitional period would have an end date and would not be “unlimited”.
Overall, to deliver a “smooth, orderly exit” from the EU “we will seek a phased process of implementation, in which both the UK and the EU institutions and the remaining EU Member States prepare for the new arrangements that will exist between us”.
A UK Government spokesperson said that the Prime Minister had been clear that now was not the time for an independence referendum “and we will not be entering into negotiations on the Scottish Government’s proposal”.
He added that UK Government’s focus was on exit negotiations with the European Union and ensuring ministers secure the best deal for the whole of the UK.
The UK Government is also preparing to respond to the Scottish Government’s proposals for a 'separate' Brexit deal for Scotland, that would, among other things, mean it could stay in the single market.
Tory ministers are expected to highlight the many areas of agreement between the two governments and that more decisions will be taken at Holyrood after Brexit.
Alistair Carmichael, the former Scottish Secretary and MP for Orkney and Shetland, said that the case for another independence referendum was “weak”.
He added: “The SNP say they speak for Scotland. Unfortunately for the SNP Scotland spoke three years ago and told them no. Instead of hunting for division we need to sort out the problems on our doorstep.”
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