THE Scottish Parliament has backed Nicola Sturgeon's call for the powers to hold a second independence referendum.

MSPs voted 69 to 59 to mandate the First Minister to seek permission from the UK Government for a ballot to be held between autumn 2018 and spring 2019.

Ms Sturgeon's minority Scottish Government won the vote following an extended debate thanks to support from the Scottish Greens.

But Prime Minister Theresa May has already said she will block another referendum while the Brexit process takes place, stating "now is not the time".