NICOLA STURGEON could push for a second independence referendum even if Britain remained in the European Union, she said yesterday.

The Scottish First Minister, who has used Brexit to justify plans for a referendum by 2021, indicated that she would still want a vote on Scottish independence if the Brexit decision was reversed in a second nationwide referendum.

Appearing on the Andrew Marr Show, Ms Sturgeon argued that the prospect of Boris Johnson becoming prime minister and “all of the experience of the last three years” mean Scotland should hold another independence vote.

Andrew Marr asked: “If you get a second referendum on Brexit, that you want and it goes the other way — the UK stays inside the EU — does that remove the need for an imminent Scottish independence referendum?”

Ms Sturgeon replied: “Not necessarily, no, because I think things are changing.”

She added: “I’m sure if we end up in that scenario I’ll come back on the programme and we could talk about that rather than talk about it hypothetically just now.

“We could be facing the prospect in the near future of Boris Johnson as prime minister, so the last thing I should be doing is narrowing Scotland’s options.

“I think after all of the experience of the last three years, Scotland should have the opportunity to decide whether we want to become an independent European nation.”

Responding to the comments, Scotland in Union campaign chief executive Pamela Nash said: “This is a stark reminder that Nicola Sturgeon’s only priority is a divisive second independence referendum.

“She is weaponising Brexit in a desperate bid to boost support for separation, but admits she will push to break up the UK whatever happens.”