Nicola Sturgeon insisted Scotland must not have its "future imposed on us" as she argued for a second independence referendum at the end of the Brexit process.

The SNP leader told Sky News at her party's manifesto launch in Perth that the country could not end up in a position "where we have no alternative but to accept a damaging Brexit that is wreaking havoc on our economy and our public services".

With the UK due to leave the European Union in less than two years, the First Minister argued an SNP victory in the General Election in Scotland would "further reinforce" the mandate for a second poll.

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She warned Theresa May that if the SNP wins the most seats in Scotland on 8 June, "continued Tory attempts" to block another referendum would be "democratically unsustainable".


With proposals to keep Scotland in the European single market, Ms Sturgeon also said backing for her party would give her a mandate to take part in the upcoming EU negotiations.

Other commitments made in the manifesto included pledges to keep the triple lock on pensions and for an "anti-austerity plan" that would see an extra £118bn invested in public services.

The party also proposes to increase the minimum wage and for Scotland to have its own immigration policy.

Responding to a question by Sky News' James Matthews, Ms Sturgeon said: "Scotland must have a choice. We cannot have our future imposed on us.

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"We hear Theresa May today herself talking about the damage that Brexit could do if it goes wrong.

"We cannot find ourselves in a position where we have no alternative but to accept a damaging Brexit that is wreaking havoc on our economy and our public services.

"That's why a choice, not now, but at the right time, is important.

"I said at the end of the process and I have said that for a reason because it is important that people have clarity about Brexit and what it means."

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She added: "The key point of principle for me is clarity at the end of a process to allow people to make a genuinely informed choice about the future of our country."

Ms Sturgeon also warned that only the SNP could "keep the Tories in check".

She told supporters: "Let's be clear - Labour isn't strong enough to do that. Voting Labour simply risks letting in Tory MPs.

"In Scotland, only the SNP can keep the Tories in check. In this election, it is vital that we strengthen Scotland's hand, not Theresa May's."

But Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said: "Nicola Sturgeon tried her usual trick today of trying to ignore independence in her speech but making sure she's pushing for it in her manifesto. Nobody is fooled any more."

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Meanwhile, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has said he would allow a second referendum "if the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish people want it" because that is the "whole point" of devolution.

His comments put him at odds with Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale, who only last week gave Scots a "cast-iron guarantee'' that Labour would oppose another independence vote.

Out on the campaign trail in Wolverhampton, the Prime Minister launched a scathing attack on Mr Corbyn, arguing his Monday night grilling on Sky News revealed he was "not prepared" to lead the country or to conduct Brexit negotiations.

With Brexit talks set to start soon after the election, Mrs May said: "I am ready to go. Jeremy Corbyn is not."