Image copyright Other Image caption Alistair Carmichael will challenge Nicola Sturgeon to rule out an early return to the ballot box

Nicola Sturgeon should rule out a rapid second independence referendum, Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael has urged.

Mr Carmichael was addressing the Liberal Democrat autumn conference in Glasgow.

He called on Ms Sturgeon, currently the only candidate to replace Alex Salmond as first minister, to rule out any early push for another referendum.

A spokesman for Ms Sturgeon said public opinion would guide any future ballot.

'Common endeavour'

Mr Carmichael argued that the issue of bringing Scots together after the poll was a "big test" for the SNP leadership and Ms Sturgeon in particular.

It will be circumstances and public opinion that will determine if and when another referendum takes place Spokesman for Nicola Sturgeon

The Scots Secretary said: "We can all wave flags, join protests and march if we want to. But wouldn't it be better to set those things aside, to accept the will of the Scottish people and to put your shoulder to the wheel in our common endeavour?

"For the SNP leadership - for Nicola Sturgeon - this is of course a big test. It is disappointing that she has declined to rule out pushing for a second referendum in less than three years from now.

"There is still time for her to clarify that she will push for no such thing. And I hope that she will take that opportunity."

Ms Sturgeon's spokesman said: "The deputy first minister has made it perfectly clear that she accepts the outcome of the referendum and that the SNP will play a full and constructive part in the deliberations of the Smith Commission.

"Ms Sturgeon has also said that she continues to believe that Scotland should and will become independent, but that it will be circumstances and public opinion that will determine if and when another referendum takes place."

The Smith Commission is the body set up to move forward the devolution of further powers pledged by the pro-Union parties.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie warned the conference about creating an "unstable" form of devolution, which he said nationalists could use as a "ticking time bomb deliberately designed to deliver independence".

He said: "So there is a test for the SNP - will they be like Gollum in Lord of the Rings, torn apart by the lust for the ring of independence?

"Or will they work constructively with others to create Home Rule that is stable, as well as powerful, inside the United Kingdom? That is the real test."