Nicola Sturgeon has reached out to Brexiteers as she took the campaign for Scottish independence to America.

In a speech at California's Stanford University the First Minister launched a passionate defence of the economic benefits of globalisation and immigration.

But she admitted that both had the "potential to disadvantage – or be seen as disadvantaging – particular areas and particular groups" and had to be "properly managed" to ensure that their benefits outweigh their costs.

The result of the European Union referendum showed that more needs to be done to build a fairer and more inclusive society, she added.

The First Minister is on a five-day tour of America designed to promote trade, investment, tourism and innovation as well as the case for independence.

But critics have accused her of taking a "global grievance tour" to the US's sunshine state.

The SNP is aware that it has to reach out to pro-independence, anti-EU supporters before another referendum.

Last week a poll suggested that the party was also out of touch with Scottish public opinion on immigration.

Almost two-thirds, 62 per cent, of Scots voters thought that post-Brexit rules on trade and immigration should be the same in Scotland as the rest of the UK.

Scottish ministers have called for a separate systems north and south of the Border after the UK leaves the EU.

In her speech Ms Sturgeon said that the Brexit vote "posed a challenge for those of us who support free trade, who welcome immigration and who believe that the benefits of globalisation, if properly managed, should outweigh the challenges.

"It demonstrated that we can only sustain support for a dynamic and open economy if we do more to build a fair and inclusive society."

She added: "That's what I'm determined to do. It is one of the most pressing challenges that most developed societies face. It requires leadership, and while Scotland does not have all of the answers - no country does - I believe that we are at least asking some of the right questions."

During the speech, on Scotland’s 'place in the world' , she also said that no nation was insulated from its "reliance on, and our obligations to, the wider world".

She argued that "independence, combined with equal partnership, is the best way for us to build a fairer society at home and to make a positive contribution to the world".

And she again said that Prime Minister Theresa May "must recognise" that the people of Scotland had the right to make that choice.

Mrs May has said that now is not the time for a second referendum.

Ms Sturgeon said that Scotland's modern identity would remain "open, outward-looking and inclusive. People from around the world will still be welcome to call themselves Scottish.

“And Scotland will of course continue to build partnerships around the world – including with governments, businesses and universities here in California across the United States.”

She has already signed a climate change agreement with California's governor, Jerry Brown and met representatives from technology firms including electric car makers Tesla and Apple.

But she will not meet members of the Trump administration while in America.

Scottish Conservative chief whip John Lamont claimed that Ms Sturgeon's comments about globalisation were "a near exact echo of a similar speech made by Theresa May just a few weeks ago".

He added that it was a "great shame" that the SNP leader was using a "taxpayer-funded trip to America to promote independence, and an unwanted referendum".

Willie Rennie, the leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, accused Ms Sturgeon of being on a "global grievance tour".