NICOLA Sturgeon has warned Scotland faces the most important example of a democratic deficit in its post-war history as a result of Brexit

The First Minister said devolution had transformed Scotland but has had "virtually no effect on mindsets at Westminster". 

She made the comments as she addressed a Law Society of Scotland conference in Edinburgh marking 20 years of devolution.

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Ms Sturgeon said Scotland faced being removed from the EU against its will and highlighted the growing risk of a "catastrophic" no-deal Brexit.

She said: "Devolution has transformed politics in Scotland. It has put beyond any doubt that Scotland is a distinct political community within these islands. 

"But at the same time, devolution has had virtually no effect on mindsets at Westminster.

"Over the past three years we've seen from the UK Government an aggressive assertion of the idea of the supremacy of the Westminster Parliament

"And as a result we are now not simply facing the prospect of being removed from the EU against our will, there is also a growing possibility of a catastrophic no-deal exit as hardliners in the Tory party get ready to take control. 

"Now earlier in my remarks I referred to the democratic deficit which prompted devolution.

"Now 30 years on, 20 years on from the establishment of our parliament, we face the most important example of a democratic deficit in Scotland's post-war history. 

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"The UK Parliament going against the votes of our elected representatives in Parliament and also the votes of the Scottish people in the 2016 referendum – and doing so in a way which pays little or no heed to Scotland's wishes, priorities and values."

Ms Sturgeon said Scots "more than ever" need to ask themselves whether they believe Westminster should have the ultimate right to determine their future.

She added: "My view is that the paramount principle has to be that decisions about Scotland are best taken by the people who live here. We can use that principle as our anchor."