THE political cat and mouse over Brexit and independence continued at Holyrood as a majority of MSPs voted in favour of a second referendum.

Ahead of the vote Nicola Sturgeon confirmed her timetable of action for her next moves.

The First Minister said she would wait until after the Prime Minister, Theresa May triggers Article 50 to begin the Process of Brexit before submitting her formal request for powers to hold a referendum.

Ms May has said she will refuse any such request and that is the assumption Ms Sturgeon is working on.

She told MSPs that she would return to Holyrood after the Easter recess in three weeks and set out her next step.

MSPs voted 69 to 59 in favour of seeking a second referendum with the Greens and SNP in favour and the Conservatives, Labour and he LibDems voting against.

The First Minister said it would be “indefensible” for the UK Government to stand in the way of a referendum.

She will not submit the official request until after the Brexit process is triggered by Theresa May today.

Ms Sturgeon said: “This is, first and foremost, about giving the people of Scotland a choice on this country’s future.

“We know that Brexit threatens a hugely damaging and uncertain future for Scotland, and it would not be right if the people of Scotland, having been told in 2014 that the only way to protect our place in Europe was to vote against independence, were denied a choice.”

Labour and the Conservatives again stated their opposition to a second referendum and both party leaders said the country did not want another referendum.

Kezia Dugdale, Labour leader, said: “Scotland doesn’t need or want a second independence referendum.

“There is absolutely no evidence that another divisive referendum is the will of the people of Scotland.

“We need the SNP government to get on with the job of governing. That means focusing on jobs, growing the economy and helping family incomes.

The Conservative leader, Ruth Davidson said the country did not want or need another referendum.

She said “We have made it clear: now is not the time to go back to another divisive referendum. Not when there is no public support for one. Not when the SNP said the last referendum would be once in a generation. Not when we have no clear picture as to what either Brexit or independence will look like.”