A draft bill for a second independence referendum will be published by constitution secretary Derek Mackay later on Thursday.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced at the SNP conference last week that a formal consultation on the legislation would begin within days.

She told delegates that Scots should have the ability to reconsider the issue in light of the vote for Brexit and to do so before the UK leaves the European Union.

Speaking ahead of the Bill's publication, Sturgeon said: "This government was elected on a specific manifesto pledge that the Scottish Parliament should be able to consider an independence referendum if there was a material change in circumstances, such as Scotland being taken out of the European Union against its will.

"The country now faces exactly that prospect, including the likelihood of it being a hard Brexit with all the additional damage that will do to Scotland's economy and jobs, which is why this bill is being published for consultation."

Sturgeon, who is due to meet Prime Minister Theresa May in London on Monday, said efforts to protect Scotland's place in Europe would intensify over the coming weeks.

May announced at Conservative party conference earlier this month that her Government would trigger Article 50 to begin Brexit negotiations with the EU no later than March next year.

It is thought that these negotiations will take around two years.

The First Minister said she would put forward specific proposals aimed at keeping Scotland in the European single market even if the rest of the UK leaves without resorting to a second independence vote.

Sturgeon continued: "If it becomes clear that it is the best or only way of safeguarding Scotland's interests - in line with our manifesto commitment - parliament must be able to consider the option of an independence referendum, to allow the people of Scotland to vote on independence before the UK leaves the EU," Sturgeon added.

"I am determined to ensure that Scotland has the ability to make that choice if it is necessary to protect our vital interests.

"If there is an independence referendum, it will not be because the result of the 2014 referendum has not been respected - it will be because the promises made to Scotland have not been kept.

"Every part of Scotland voted to remain in Europe but a Tory government with just one MP out of 59 is now threatening to drag us out of the EU - that is the stark reality of the situation we have been placed in, as a government and a nation."

She added: "The consultation beginning today will ensure that a referendum bill, if it is the chosen route, will - like the 2014 referendum - meet the gold standard of democracy and fairness."

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said the proposals show Sturgeon has "given up" on representing the whole country.

She said: "We promised during the election to fight proposals for a second independence referendum every step of the way, and that's exactly what we are going to do.

"The First Minister says she respects the result from 2014, but there will be more than two million Scots who now know otherwise.

"Instead of using Brexit to further her own political ambitions, Nicola Sturgeon should be working closely with the UK Government to address the risks and explore the opportunities this decision creates for industries and sectors across Scotland.

"Scotland's business community doesn't want another independence referendum, and the majority of the people of Scotland don't want another independence referendum.

"The fact that Nicola Sturgeon is desperately pushing for one shows she has given up on being a First Minister for all of Scotland in favour of championing her own separatist agenda."

The Labour party slammed the Bill as a "reckless move" and reiterated that it would not support a second vote on independence.

Shadow Scottish secretary Dave Anderson MP said: "This is a reckless move by Nicola Sturgeon. It confirms that her priority is the politics of division, rather than focusing on much-needed improvements to Scotland's schools or hospitals.

"Our country is already divided following the Tories' Brexit gamble and a second referendum is the very last thing our fragile economy needs.

"It is little over two years since more than 2million Scots voted to reject independence in what Nicola Sturgeon promised was a 'once-in-a-generation' referendum. Those 2million votes must be respected.

"Only Labour stands for what the majority of Scots want - remaining part of the UK and maintaining our relationship with Europe."

"There will be absolutely no support for a second independence referendum from Labour," he added.