Nicola Sturgeon used the start of the Scotland's Choice debate to press her case for a fresh referendum

Theresa May will reject Nicola Sturgeon’s demands for a fresh referendum on independence, regardless of the result of the vote in the Scottish parliament later today.

Sources in the UK government have made it clear that the prime minister will refuse to open any negotiations with Scottish ministers on a second independence poll even if, as expected, Holyrood votes to call for a new ballot.

With MSPs due to give their backing to a new poll at the end of a two-day debate, Mrs May is expecting to receive a letter from Ms Sturgeon later this week asking for talks on the timing, the franchise and the wording of the question.

A UK government source said: “That demand will be rejected. The prime minister will