Scotland plans to hold a second independence referendum, expected to take place between Autumn 2018 and Spring 2019, its First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed.

Speaking in Edinburgh, Sturgeon said she will seek the authority of the Scottish Parliament next week to legislate for a second referendum, adding that another vote would “give the Scottish people a choice about the kind of change we want”, as the UK looks set to opt for a hard Brexit and leave the single market.

Sturgeon said: “I will now take the steps necessary to make sure Scotland will have a choice at the end of this process…a choice of whether to follow the UK to a hard Brexit or to become an independent country, able to secure a real partnership of equals with the rest of the UK and our own relationship with Europe.

“I can confirm that next week I will seek the authority of the Scottish parliament to agree with the UK government the details of a Section 30 order, the procedure that will enable the Scottish parliament to legislate for an independence referendum.”