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Scottish Green Party parliamentary co-leader Alison Johnstone also pays her respects to Lyra McKee, condolences to her family and friends and all those affected by the attacks in Sri Lanka.

The Brexit shambles confirms the Greens' beliefs that Scotland would be far better governing itseslf, insists Ms Johnstone.

She argues the economic model being looked at by the SNP is too similar to the failed UK model and says her party will offer more radical measures.

Will the Citizen's Assembly inform the prospectus put forward by the Scottish government for indyref2 she asks.

Ms Sturgeon says nobody with the interests of Scotland at heart can look at Brexit and think devolution is running as it should.

Surely we must come together and decide what we can do about that, she says.

The first minister urges Mr Leonard to come to talks to outline the path he thinks Scotland should take next, since he does not back independence.

"This debate is a distraction from the real and serious problems Scotland faces," continues Mr Leonard.

There's no evidence the people of Scotland want indyref2 he insists.

He accuses the first minister of putting the interests of her party before the interests of this country.

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard adds the support of his party to the FM's comments on Lyra McKee and the Sri Lanka attacks.

The timing of today's statement has nothing to do with where we are with Brexit or where public opinion is, he says.

It has everything to do with the SNP's conference taking place at the weekend, he suggests.

Mr Leonard says the FM is using this parliamentary platform as a party platform, and thus devaluing the parliament.

He pledges to work with the first minister to avoid a no deal Brexit and further empower this parliament, however.

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The first minister replies: "I feel that was a lot of sound and fury signifying not very much at all."

Ms Sturgeon says the dark cloud over Scotland is Brexit and devolution cannot protect Scotland from it.

She says Brexit sheds a very dark light over the ideology and incompetence of the Tories.

It is not effective for Jackson Carlaw to say "wheesht" about it all, she adds.

The depressing reality is that for the SNP, independence is its essential purpose, and it does not believe we can succeed as we are says the Tory deputy leader.

"We say no more - enough is enough."

Mr Carlaw says the last few weeks, in terms of Brexit, have fallen far short of what people wanted to say.

He calls on everyone at Westminster to support an orderly Brexit.

The Scottish Conservative deputy leader argues the first minister is focusing on her own priorities.

He points out the last time a Section 30 order was requested by Holyrood it had unanimous support, but that will not happen this time.

Mr Carlaw adds we believe in disavowing constitutional division.

Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw begins by adding his condolences to the family of Lyra McKee and to those impacted by the Sri Lanka attacks.

Turning to the FM's statement, Mr Carlaw says it was inherently divisive and warns that plans for indyref2 within the next 18 months will exacerbate divisions.

The only thought of the SNP, amplified today, is how to justify their plans to divide families, workplaces and communities, he suggests.

Not in the name of the majority of Scotland, he insists.

The first minister concludes: "It's time to look to Scotland's future.

We have seen in Westminster what happens when parties fail to work together, Ms Sturgeon says.

Progress becomes impossible, tensions rise and tempers fray, she adds.

Brexit makes change for Scotland inevitable she argues.

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The first minister says: "I can confirm that the Scottish government will establish a Citizen's Assembly."

This will bring together a representative cross section of Scotland, with an independent chair.

It will look at the following issues:

• What kind of country are we seeking to build?
• How can we overcome challenges including Brexit?
• What further work needs to be done to provide people with information about the future?

Ms Sturgeon says even for those who oppose independence, there is agreement that more powers should be devolved to increase Scotland's strength within the UK.

There is already "more common ground than we like to admit there is" which we can build from, she says.

The first minister confirms Brexit Secretary Mike Russell will lead cross-party discussions on finding a way forward.

Ms Sturgeon will write to party leaders today and nominated representatives will be put in touch with Mr Russell about these discussions thereafter.

Ms Sturgeon says there are are specific steps to be taken now:

• act to ensure the option for indyref2 is progressed, with the introduction of legislation
• aim for the legislation to be on the statute book by the end of this year

The first minister stresses that the Scottish government does not need a Section 30 order for this bill, but it will be needed for indyref2

Turning to the question of when, Ms Sturgeon reiterates her belief that a second vote should take place before the end of this parliamentary session.

To rush into an immediate decision before a Brexit path has been determined would not allow for an informed choice to be made, she adds.

But if Scotland's interests are to be protected, we cannot delay the vote indefinitely the first minister says.