BBC News Channel

Interviewed by the BBC News channel, former first minster Alex Salmond accused Downing Street of "arrogance" in questioning his successor's "unimpeachable mandate" to push for a referendum. 

He said: "When these two options are put before the Scottish people, I have absolutely no doubt there will be a resounding vote in favour of independence and keeping that thousand-year-long European connection that Scotland as a European nation has had."

Philip Sim
BBC Scotland political reporter

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Game on. Next week Nicola Sturgeon will go to Holyrood seeking a Section 30 order for "indyref2".

This part, at least, should be pretty simple. There is a pro-independence majority at Holyrood; the Greens should back the SNP, so Holyrood should return a call for a second referendum.

Will the UK government give permission? Technically, they could say no. But politically, it might be very difficult for them to refuse outright.

The real battle here may not be over whether there is a referendum, but when.

Ms Sturgeon is clear she wants the vote to take place before Brexit is complete, in the spring of 2019.

The UK government may well argue it should take place after that, so there can be full focus on the tricky task of Brexit itself.

There remains a lot of detail to be hammered out before we get back on the campaign trail.

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The World at One
BBC Radio 4

The Scottish National Party's Stephen Gethins has been speaking to Martha Kearney on Radio 4's World at One. 

When asked what would happen if Scotland voted to leave the UK but couldn't become a member of the European Union, Mr Gethins said that since Scotland was a "net contributor" to the EU and has "met all of the rules" for EU membership, to reject Scotland from EU membership would "go against European ideals".

Andy Willox, the  Scottish policy convenor for Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), says that a survey conducted after last year’s Scottish Parliament elections, but before the poll on Europe, revealed very little appetite among smaller firms for another independence referendum.

“Of course, there’s a lot more going on now – in terms of faltering confidence and rising costs – than there was last May," Mr Willox says.  

"What we don’t know is if these changes have shifted views one way or the other, but I daresay that will become apparent in the weeks and months ahead," he added. 

Nick Eardley
BBC Scotland Westminster correspondent

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Theresa May's speech to the Scottish Conservative conference last week - on the benefits of being part of the UK - sounded, in part, like a referendum campaign pitch.

But we're not quite there yet. It should become clearer in the coming weeks if the Scottish government are going to push for another vote on independence.

If they do, it's widely accepted they will need to obtain permission from Westminster under Section 30 of the Scotland Act.

That's what happened in 2014 when David Cameron and Alex Salmond signed the Edinburgh Agreement.

It's clear the UK government doesn't want another referendum. It argues the question has already been asked; Scotland has already answered.

But what happens if the Scottish Parliament disagrees? (The SNP may be a minority government at Holyrood, but they will almost certainly get the backing of the Greens to pass legislation backing another referendum).

Click here to read more.

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Gail Hunter, regional director of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Scotland, says that the first minister has been clear in her ambitions for Scotland’s future relationship with the EU and the UK.

Ms Hunter says the first minister has shown her desire to have an open debate around these vital issues.

“The prospect of another independence referendum runs the risk of adding additional uncertainty for markets, which are already slowing due to the unknown consequences of Brexit," she says. 

"We look forward to the UK government giving more details on its position, which could go some way towards offering the reassurances and clarity that the land and property markets seek," she added. 

Ms Hunter says all efforts should be made to retain our access to a skilled international workforce, passporting of professional services and attracting private investment in Scotland.

Scottish Chambers of Commerce chief executive Liz Cameron says: “It is welcome that the first minister has indicated that the Scottish government will continue to engage with the political process around the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.  

"These are vital years ahead for the future of the UK and Scottish economy and it is crucial that Scotland has a voice at the centre of this process.

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“Scotland has been through two referendums and two major elections over the past three years, and there is no doubt that this period of continual uncertainty has had a material impact upon businesses in Scotland.   

"These are real and present business issues that are affecting business decisions and investment.  

"A further referendum on Scotland’s independence would be no different, and the more that can be done to mitigate the duration of this uncertainty for business, the better."

CBI Scotland director Hugh Aitken says that Scotland's businesses have acted with resilience since the EU referendum.

Mr Aitken says CBI Scotland's priority, in an already uncertain environment, is clarity as soon as possible on what a future deal could look like.

“What’s important is that the needs of Scotland – and the other devolved nations - are heard and understood in the discussions on the UK’s future relationship with Europe," he says. 

“The Scottish and UK governments must continue to work together, with business, to ensure the best deal from the negotiations for Scottish firms, and this work should continue as a matter of priority."

Institute of Directors in Scotland executive director David Watt says: “Not many in the Scottish business community wanted Brexit, and equally, few want a renewed independence referendum, and the associated continuation of uncertainty which has had such an impact on the ability of businesses to move forward with their plans.  

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"The modern world presents a multitude of opportunities for businesses to innovate and prosper, and this rather than constitutional arguments is the preferred focus of IoD members. 

"However, if the political will is to move forward with another vote, business will react appropriately and continue to face up to the challenges that such political activity presents. 

Former Better Together director Craig Harrow says any future referendum campaign should avoid negative arguments.

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Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed she will ask for permission to hold a second referendum on Scottish independence.

Ms Sturgeon said she wanted a vote to be held between the autumn of 2018 and the spring of the following year.

The Scottish first minister said the move was needed to protect Scottish interests in the wake of the UK voting to leave the EU.

She said she would ask the Scottish Parliament next week to request a Section 30 order from Westminster.

The order would be needed to allow a fresh legally-binding referendum on independence to be held.

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Prime Minister Theresa May has so far avoided saying whether or not she would grant permission for indyref2.

Her official spokesman responded to Ms Sturgeon's announcement by saying that the evidence "clearly showed a majority of people in Scotland do not want a second independence referendum".

He added: "Only a little over two years ago, people in Scotland voted decisively to remain part of our United Kingdom in a referendum which the Scottish government defined as a 'once in a generation' vote.

"Another referendum would be divisive and cause huge economic uncertainty at the worst possible time."