A NEW referendum on Scotland’s independence will not be ruled out if polls show a “strong and consistent” desire to leave the UK, Nicola Sturgeon announced yesterday.

The Scottish National Party (SNP) leader and First Minister insisted, however, that she respected the results of last year’s vote.

During her speech at the SNP’s annual conference, Ms Sturgeon warned Westminster that budget cuts and the replacement of the Trident nuclear programme could result in a renewed and bigger demand for independence.

She said: “To propose another referendum in the next parliament without strong evidence that a significant number of those who voted No have changed their minds would be wrong and we won’t do it.”

But she added: “If there is strong and consistent evidence that people have changed their minds and that independence has become the choice of a clear majority in this country, then we have no right to rule out a referendum and we won’t do that either.

“No-one has the right to stand in the way of democracy.”