MSP have started debating a motion to hold a second independence referendum within the next two years.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is calling on MSPs to give her a mandate to request the power to hold a referendum between autumn next year and spring 2019.

The SNP motion will pass with the support of the Scottish Greens' six MSPs.

Scottish Conservative, Scottish Labour and Scottish Liberal Democrat MSPs will all oppose the motion however they do not have enough seats in the parliament to stop it passing.

Sturgeon told MSPs: "When the nature of the change that is made inevitable by Brexit becomes clear, it should not be imposed upon us.

"We should have the right to decide the nature of that change.

"The people of Scotland should have the right to choose between Brexit - possibly a very hard Brexit - or becoming an independent country, able to chart our own course and create a true partnership of equals across these islands.

The SNP leader continued: "If we accept - as I hope we all do - that Scotland has the right to decide our own future, the question then becomes one of timing. When is it best to make that choice?

"We are all agreed that now is not the time.

"In my view, the time to choose is when the terms of Brexit are clear - and can be judged against the challenges and opportunities of becoming an independent country."

You can watch MSPs debate the motion live on the STV Player:

Holyrood does not have the power to organise and legislate for a referendum without first seeking the consent of Downing Street.

Later this week Sturgeon will approach the UK Government to grant a section 30 order - the legal instrument to transfer the power to organise a referendum - to the Scottish Parliament.

Scottish secretary David Mundell has said the request will be refused and the UK Government will not enter into discussions about a new independence vote until the country has left the European Union, a process which is expected not to happen until March 2019.

Prime Minister Theresa May has repeatedly said "now is not the time" for a second independence vote.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson told MSPs during the debate: "The First Minister's plan for a rushed referendum with a campaign beginning now without public consent, with no agreement in place for how it should take place, with only one side dictating the timing, the question, the franchise or the rules, would be a farce."

She continued "Last week, in what was a disgraceful episode, we were shouted at from the SNP benches we were frightened to debate independence.

"We're not frightened but we are sick of it, and most people in Scotland have had enough too."

The First Minister used her opening statement in Tuesday's debate to inform MSPs that she will return to the Scottish Parliament after the Easter recess to state what she intends to do if May refuses to grant a section 30 order.

She said: "I hope that the UK government will respect the will of this parliament.

"If it does so, I will enter discussion in good faith and willingness to compromise.

"However, if it chooses not to do so, I will return to parliament after the Easter recess to set out the steps the Scottish Government will take to progress the will of parliament."