Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon seeks second referendum on Scottish independence

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May, right, and Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon sit during their meeting in Glasgow, Scotland. Photo / AP

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has written to Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May formally demanding that she allow a second referendum to be held on Scottish independence ahead of the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union.

The results of the June Brexit referendum called the country's future into question because England and Wales voted to leave the EU but Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to stay.

On Tuesday, the devolved parliament of Scotland voted to hold a referendum on secession in 2018 or 2019, but the UK Government must give its approval before any such poll can he held.

May has already said it is not the right time for another referendum, having only just formally begun the complex two-year divorce talks between the UK and its 27 EU partners.

Scots rejected independence in a 2014 vote by 55 to 45 per cent, but Sturgeon says the situation has changed because of Brexit.

In her letter Sturgeon said she wished May well in negotiations with the EU, but added it seemed inevitable the outcome would leave the UK outside the European single market.

"In these very changed circumstances, the people of Scotland must have the right to choose our own future - in short, to exercise our right of self determination."

Sturgeon said she agreed with May that it would be wrong to hold a referendum immediately but that it should take place after the terms of Brexit were agreed and a future trade deal with the EU was struck, something May envisages before March 2019.

A spokesman for May said the UK Government would respond in due course but ruled out discussions on a second secession vote.

- AAP