The Conservative leader at Holyrood, Ruth Davidson, wants the Scottish parliament to oppose a new referendum, and urges the Scottish government instead to focus on working with the UK Government to secure the best possible new relationship with the EU.

Opposing Sturgeon's call, Davidson claimed most people in Scotland do not want another referendum.

That view was backed by Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale who said the overwhelming will of the Scottish people was that there should be no second divisive independence referendum.

Dugdale said that far from giving Scottish people a choice, a second independence referendum would increase uncertainty and cause greater division as Britain faces a hard Brexit under May's Conservative government.

Willie Rennie, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats leader said his party will also vote against another divisive referendum.

Politicians in the parliament will be voting on Sturgeon's call Wednesday, with the likelihood of winning the vote with support from the minority Green party.

Prime minister May has so far said now is not the time for a new referendum for Scotland, indicating Westminster would not sanction a new vote at least until Brexit negotiations are concluded.

In 2014 the people of Scotland voted to remain as part of the United Kingdom.

A Yes vote in a future referendum would sever Scotland's links with Britain which go back hundreds of years.