BBC Scotland political editor Glenn Campbell asks the first minister if a referendum was any more likely than when she called for one the day after the Brexit vote in 2016.

Ms Sturgeon responds saying she firmly believes there will be a referendum.

"I have been candid about the issues we are navigating in order to secure that process when we are up against a UK government that has no respect whatsoever for democracy," she says.

An independent Scotland will be a democracy, not a one-party state, the first minister adds.

Answering a question on economic growth, Patrick Harvie says the Green party does disagree with the SNP about the subject because they challenge the idea that everlasting growth is sustainable.

Image source, Reuters

Independence means the decisions affecting Scotland being made in Scotland, Mr Harvie says.

He sets out a vision for a greener, fairer and more prosperous Scotland, that restores nature and embraces clean industries.

He then appeals to people "voted yes or no in 2014", the half a million people who were too young to vote last time, and newcomers to the country to join the debate.

Mr Harvie says a hard Brexit has turbo-charged the global cost of living crisis in the UK.

"Hanging on to the Etonian coat tails of the UK government" has not worked, he says.

Mr Harvie calls for Scotland to be "fully empowered" like other European countries.

Patrick Harvie, the co-leader of the Scottish Green Party and a member of the Scottish cabinet, says Scotland was already using its finite budget to deliver its vision of a greener and fairer Scotland.

"We have to be honest about the precarious situation that Scotland is in for as long as Westminster is making decisions over us," he says.

Scotland has to tackle global challenges of economic turmoil and reaching net zero, "but we're forced to do so with our hands tied by the limits of the devolution settlement", he adds.

"We could chart a different future."

"The case for Scotland charting our own course, a better course is strong and compelling," continues the first minister.

She says today's publication contains 10 comparator countries:

Ireland, Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Iceland, Sweden, Austria, Belgium and Finland, all of whom over time compare better than the UK.

The FM argues the evidence set out in today's paper is "clear and it is unambiguous".

She argues all of these countries are wealthier, fairer and more productive than the UK and all of them are independent.

"Why not Scotland?"

Image source, Reuters

Ms Sturgeon says there are many ways the Westminster government is failing us.

The first minister insists the prime minister has "no democratic authority in Scotland and no moral majority anywhere.

"Brexit has ripped us out of the EU and the single market against our will with massive damage to trade, living standards and public services."

She says UK growth will be second worst in the G20 next year, only sanctioned Russia will be worse.

The first minister warns we face the very real prospect of a trade war, as the UK government threatens to breach international law by scrapping some post-Brexit trade agreements.

The first minister says the forthcoming papers will show the "massive opportunities that independence will present".

She insists her government will also tackle the challenges and will "not shy away from tough questions" including on the transition from a "Yes" vote to independence.

"A great deal of nation building," has occurred since 2014, says Ms Sturgeon, meaning a large part of the infrastructure required is now in place.

"Scotland today is even more prepared for independence than we were in 2014.

"Of course any case for change starts with an analysis of the status quo.

"And that is the purpose of the paper we are publishing today."

The choice people arrive at must be an informed one, says Ms Sturgeon.

The FM adds the case must speak not only to those who support independence but also those not yet persuaded.

"Scotland will only become independent when the majority of those who live here vote for it."

Ms Sturgeon says it is that spirit that "Wealthier, Happier, Fairer: Why Not Scotland?", external has been published.

"Today we set the scene," says Ms Sturgeon.

The FM says subsequent papers would look at a number of areas including;

• currency
• tax and spend
• defence
• social security and pensions
• and EU membership and trade

Ms Sturgeon says she was re-elected on a clear commitment to give the people a choice to seek independence, giving the Scottish Parliament a democratic mandate which she intends to honour.

"We must forge a way forward, if necessary without a section 30 order, but must do so in a lawful manner," she says.

Work is underway to pursue this, she says, adding she will give an update to parliament soon.

Image source, Reuters

Other countries without the abundant resources of Scotland are wealthier and fairer than the UK, the first minister argues.

She says it is now time to set out and debate a new case for independence after everything that has happened - Brexit, Covid and Boris Johnson.

Ms Sturgeon says people in Scotland are suffering with the soaring cost of living, low growth and increasing inequality, and the many implictions of Brexit.

She says they are all made worse by the fact that Scotland is not independent.

She asks: "Do we stay tied to a UK economic model that consigns us to relatively poor economic and social outcomes which are likely to get worse not better outside the European Union, or do we instead lift our eyes with hope and optimism and take inspiration from comparable counties across Europe?"

First Minster Nicola Sturgeon is setting out her case for Scotland becoming an independent country “better able to chart our own course here at home and as the outward looking nation we have always been”.

She says Scotland has "huge advantages and immense potential".

She says the case for independence is about how Scotland equips itself to navigate the challenges and fulfil its potential.

The first paper of the new independence campaign has been launched.

READ HERE: "Wealthier, Happier, Fairer: Why Not Scotland?", external

The Scottish government has published a new paper on independence - the first in a series supporting the case for a further referendum.

In her introduction, external, Nicola Sturgeon says: "We are a brilliant country in so many ways – but a glance at many of our European neighbours tells us we can do better. That should excite and inspire us. But first we must equip ourselves with the powers of independence that they already possess."

Why is Scottish independence back in the spotlight?published at 10:57 British Summer Time 14 June 2022

10:57 BST 14 June 2022

Glenn Campbell
BBC Scotland Political Editor

Image source, Getty Images

Independence is never far from the surface in Scottish politics. It is the principle fault line. The great divide.

The question will persist unless and until a) independence actually happens or b) the public tire of the political parties that promote it.

Neither of those possibilities seem very likely anytime soon and so the debate continues.

It was largely put on hold during the pandemic but when the SNP won the Holyrood election in 2021, they did so having promised another referendum.

Together with the Scottish Greens who share power with them in the Scottish government, they have a majority in parliament for indyref2.

Read more from Glenn here.

The first paper on the new independence push - entitled 'Wealthier, Happier, Fairer: Why Not Scotland?' - will be a "scene setter" which will compare Scotland and the UK to other European countries.

The paper will also set out why the government believes the country would be better off if it were independent.

Ms Sturgeon added that subsequent papers would look at a number of areas including;

• currency
• tax and spend
• defence
• social security and pensions
• and EU membership and trade

In response to the new campaign for a referendum, the Scottish Conservatives' Donald Cameron said the vast majority did not want the "distraction" of another referendum next year.

He said the public wanted 100% of the government's focus to be on Covid recovery, the cost-of-living crisis, and supporting the health service.

Sarah Boyack, of Scottish Labour, said the government's attention was "still on their constitutional obsession".

She said it was an "appalling waste of time, energy and money" and that independence would "make Brexit look like a walk in the park".

Alex Cole-Hamilton, the Scottish Lib Dem leader, said the Scottish government cared "more about their independence obsession than everyone stuck on the longest NHS waiting lists in history, the cost of living crisis or the climate emergency.

"Nobody believes education is Nicola Sturgeon's top priority any more.

Active Travel Minister Patrick Harvie arrives at Bute House.

The Scottish Green Party co-leader will launch the new independence referendum campaign with the first minister shortly.

The SNP share power with the Scottish Greens in the Scottish government, they have a majority in parliament for indyref2.

Analysispublished at 10:34 British Summer Time 14 June 2022

10:34 BST 14 June 2022

Glenn Campbell
BBC Scotland Political Editor

Nicola Sturgeon has a Holyrood majority for indyref2 when all the SNP and Green votes are added together.

What she does not have is the undisputed power to hold a referendum on Scotland's constitutional future.

That was secured in 2014 through an agreement with the UK government which lent Holyrood the power to put a referendum beyond legal challenge.

This time that will almost certainly not be forthcoming and if Holyrood legislates anyway, the bill is likely to be challenged in the UK Supreme Court.

I don't expect the bill or even a timetable for it to emerge this week.

The paper being published on Tuesday is likely to set out big picture arguments for independence rather than a process designed to break the deadlock over holding a referendum.

Nicola Sturgeon will shortly launch a fresh campaign for Scottish independence.

Asked whether she was now formally beginning the campaign for indyref2, the first minister replied: "Yes".

She also insisted she still planned to hold another vote before the end of next year.

Ms Sturgeon will unveil the first in a series of new papers setting out the case for independence at 11am.

She added: "Had we known in 2014 everything we know now about the path the UK would have taken then, I've got no doubt Scotland would have voted yes back then."

The first referendum on Scottish independence took place on18 September 2014when 55% of voters said "No" to the change while 45% said "Yes".

Supporters of the Union have accused the Scottish government of being obsessed with independence.

Read more here.