The Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is to again push for an independence referendum from the UK.

She has written to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to request a second vote.

Speaking as she released a paper called 'Scotland's Right to Choose' in Edinburgh, Ms Sturgeon said there should be a transfer of powers to hold another vote from London to Edinburgh - a so-called Section 30 order.

The Scottish National Party (SNP) leader said she would be sending her paper and a letter by post to Mr Johnson - setting out what she said is a clear democratic mandate for another vote in Scotland.

At last week's UK general election the SNP won 47 of the 59 Westminster seats in Scotland.

Seemingly referring to Brexit, Ms Sturgeon said: "The experience of the last three and a half years has raised big questions about how we see ourselves as a country and our place in the world.

"It has raised questions about our voice and our democracy. And about our future - what kind of country and society do we want to be?

"At the heart of these questions is a belief held by almost everyone in Scotland that we are a nation.

"No better and no worse than any other - but an equal nation.

"And as a nation, our future - whatever we choose it to be - must be in the hands of the people who live here.

"We can choose to stay part of the Westminster union or we can choose - as I would - to be independent.

"But the choice must be ours."

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon sets out the case for a second referendum on Scottish independence during a statement at Bute House in Edinburgh | Image: Neil Hanna/PA Wire/PA Images

She added: "I recognise the work we have to do to persuade a clear majority of people in Scotland that independence is the best future for our country.

"That is why in the months ahead, we will update the detailed and substantive case for Scotland becoming an independent nation.

"And, of course, in a referendum, those who believe that Scotland should stay part of the Westminster union will be able to make that case.

"So I accept that the case for independence is yet to be won."

She said she would ask the Scottish Parliament to back the case published on Thursday in the new year.

"It is for the prime minister to defend why he believes the UK is not a voluntary union of equal nations.

"It is for the prime minister to set out why he does not believe people in Scotland have the right to self-determination.

It is for the prime minister to explain why he believes it is acceptable to ignore election after election in Scotland and to over-ride a democratic mandate stronger than the one he claims for his Brexit deal."

It coincides with a Queen's speech at Westminster - setting out the British government's priorities - and a Scottish parliament vote on the Referendums (Scotland) Bill, which will lay out parameters for future plebiscites.

The independence referendum in 2014 was, at the time, described by the then SNP leader Alex Salmond as a "once in a generation" vote.

But supporters of independence argue that the UK's decision to leave the European Union represents a "material change" in the relationship between Scotland and the UK.

Ms Sturgeon has previously said she wanted to hold a second independence referendum by May 2021.

Additional reporting: IRN