NICOLA Sturgeon sent her party away from its conference with a message that it can and will persuade a majority of Scots to vote for independence.

In her closing speech she said

The First Minister set up her supporters for an announcement later in he year after the brexit negotiations had reached a climax.

she said that over the summer the Growth Commission report would be debated and it would form the basis of a renewed bid to persuade Scots to back independence.

She said the party was waiting for the “fog” of Brexit to clear.

Ms Sturgeon said:” The case for independence is strong.

And it is getting stronger by the day.

she said research showed that the number of people in Scotland who believe that independence will make the economy better has risen dramatically.

She added: “For the first time, we now outnumber those who believe the opposite.

“Confidence in the independence case is growing.”

As some independence supporters clamour for another referendum in the Autumn of this year and tens of thousands march on streets across Scotland Ms Sturgeon appeared to appeal for patience.

She said: “So as we wait for the fog of Brexit to clear, our opportunity - indeed, our responsibility - is this.

“ Not just to focus on the “when” of independence. But to use our energy and passion to persuade those who still ask “why?”

Right now, that is the more important task. And, if we do that, let me tell you this.

“I am more certain than ever before that persuading a majority of our fellow citizens that Scotland should be an independent country is well within our grasp.”

She took a swipe at the Tories at Westminster and at Holyrood.

She said Ruth Davidson was showing “new levels of hypocriscy over the UK Government wanting to take powers from Holyrood after Brexit.

She slammed Theresa May’s Government which she said was a “shambles”. and branded Boris Johnson as an “embarrasing liabiity”

She said: “ Now we have a Foreign Secretary who says the country is heading for meltdown - but don’t panic, it’ll all be worth it Even among the Tories, there can rarely have been an individual so unfit for high office as Boris Johnson.