Nicola Sturgeon on timing of independence referendum

Nicola Sturgeon has said she would consider a second referendum on Scottish independence as early as next year if necessary.

The first minister told the BBC that could happen if the UK government started the formal process of leaving the EU without Scotland's position being safeguarded.

On the BBC's Sunday Politics Scotland programme, when asked about her position if article 50 was triggered in December and the Scottish government was not "on board", Ms Sturgeon said that was why she was making preparations for a second independence referendum.

"Of course at that point that would be an option and a decision that I would have to consider," she said.