NICOLA Sturgeon is on a collision course with the new Prime Minister over immigration and independence may prove her best option to protect EU nationals already in Scotland, a leading academic has said.

Dr Eve Hepburn, a senior lecturer in politics and international relations, said that as Home Secretary, Theresa May had been at loggerheads with the Scottish Government over immigration "for years" and predicted that the issue may prove as explosive as Brexit negotiations or a potential new referendum on leaving the UK under her premiership.

The Scottish Government has consistently argued for a more liberal approach to immigration, claiming UK policies seeking to lower numbers are hampering economic growth north of the border where population increases are slower. However, the calls have been thwarted by the department Ms May ran for six years.

Writing in The Herald today, Dr Hepburn said that the Scottish Government could continue with so far futile efforts to influence UK immigration policy, seek further powers for Holyrood in the area or put forward complicated constitutional arguments in its bid to protect the right of EU nationals to remain in Scotland after Brexit, which Ms May has so far refused to guarantee.

However, claiming that there is currently "little good will between Edinburgh and London" and pointing to Ms May's "highly restrictive and often inflammatory" record on immigration as Home Secretary, Dr Hepburn suggested the approaches may be doomed to fail.

The University of Edinburgh-based academic said: "The Scottish Government and Theresa May have been at loggerheads over immigration for years. The SNP has denounced UK immigration policy as damaging to Scottish interests, preferring flexibility to meet labour-market demands. May’s response during the IndyRef was to warn of ‘uncontrolled immigration’ should Scotland join Schengen, alluding to the need for border posts along Hadrian’s Wall to keep immigrants (and Scots?) out of England.

"Such arguments have taken on a darker hue since the EU referendum. A driving demand of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Green Co-Convenor Patrick Harvie is that the UK should immediately guarantee the status of EU nationals living in Scotland. However, May has refused to budge until a deal is made about Brits abroad, raising the possibility that millions of EU nationals could be deported when the UK leaves the EU."

After discussing a string of possible options, Dr Hepburn concluded: "Sturgeon’s best chance of protecting EU nationals may ultimately be to win another referendum on independence and apply for EU membership. Only then would she have control over who gets to stay in Scotland."

As Home Secretary, Ms May has refused to work with the Scottish Government to reintroduce an automatic temporary right to remain in the country for students after graduating, despite a broad consensus emerging in favour of the move.

The SNP has hit out at the new Prime Minister's "right wing" record, citing the controversial 'Go Home' campaign targeted at illegal immigrants, opposition to accepting increased numbers of Syrian refugees and support for austerity.

The party's Westminster civil liberties spokeswoman, Anne McLaughlin, said: "Theresa May’s appalling right-wing record will set the alarm bells ringing in Scotland and suggests she will lead a Tory government that lacks compassion, fails to respect human rights, and will worsen poverty and inequality."