A second independence referendum is likely to happen while she is First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon has said.

Speaking to the Sunday Herald, she said when asked about the possibility of a second referendum within her premiership: "If you're asking me, do I think it's more likely than not? Yes."

She added: "I would like to think that's the case. If I can't persuade more people than we persuaded in 2014 of the case for independence then there won't be. But if we can, then I think there will be."

The First Minister also stated that she was "committed" to holding a second vote in certain circumstances, not just theoretically in favour.

Sturgeon said: "I am committed to having a referendum when I think there is majority support for that. I would be committed to having a referendum if I thought the circumstances around material change were right."

Polls unanimously predict the SNP will be re-elected as a majority government on May 5, with most suggesting the party will increase its Holyrood seats.

Today's Panelbase poll, commissioned by the Sunday Times and Heart FM, put support for Scottish independence at 47% and 53% against, but in the event that Britain votes to leave the EU, this rises to a slim majority of 52% for Yes.

Panelbase conducted a very similar poll in early April that suggested Scots would be split exactly 50/50 on independence in the event of Brexit.

The First Minister said on last week's BBC Sunday Politics that there would "almost certainly" be a second vote on independence if Britain leaves the EU due to "overwhelming demand".

The SNP also recently announced a new summer drive for independence to persuade former No voters, to be led by deputy leader Stewart Hosie.

The Scottish Conservatives accused the First Minister of showing a lack of "respect".

Deputy leader of the Tories Jackson Carlaw said: "We always suspected Nicola Sturgeon didn't respect the outcome of Scotland's independence referendum, and she's confirmed as much today.

"She claimed it was once in a generation, and she claims she respects the result.

"Neither of those things are true, and that's exactly why we need a strong opposition to the SNP in the next Scottish Parliament."

Scottish Labour said Nicola Sturgeon was being "incredibly arrogant".

A party spokesman said: "Given that the SNP manifesto doesn't have a mandate for a second referendum this is incredibly arrogant from Nicola Sturgeon.

"What she should be focused on is stopping the cuts in Scotland, like she promised in the general election last year."

Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie said a second referendum was "the last thing Scotland needs".

Rennie said: "Push Nicola Sturgeon on a second referendum and the mask slips. She wants to spend the next five years plotting a second independence referendum and not improving our public services.

"Nicola Sturgeon's priority will always be independence and it is now clear that she wants to kick off a second referendum campaign within weeks. That is the last thing Scotland needs."

The Scottish Greens support independence, but think "public appetite" for a second vote must be the only thing that determines the timing.

The party have said that this public appetite could be measured in a number of ways, and that the Greens would "respect new kinds of citizen-led initiatives - for example, a call for a referendum signed by up to 1 million people on the electoral register".