SCOTTISH ministers would not need David Cameron's permission to hold a second independence vote, senior SNP sources have indicated.

 

Instead there could be a non-binding, "indicative" poll - if Scots backed the idea - with the challenge laid down to Westminster to ignore the result.

The suggestion emerged as David Cameron flies into Scotland this morning for his first meeting with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon since his General Election victory last week.

The Prime Minister will tell Ms Sturgeon that he wants to work with the Scottish Government "for the benefit of all the people of Scotland".

But he will also try to draw a line under what he says have been arguments about "processes" in recent months, saying it is time to move beyond that debate.

Ms Sturgeon said that Scotland now expected greater powers on top of last year's cross-party Smith proposals - and that she expected the Prime Minister "to recognise the democratic mandate that now exists to deliver them".

An historic agreement between London and Edinburgh 'lent' Holyrood the power to hold last year's independence referendum.

But that ability reverted back to Westminster after polling day and in recent weeks Mr Cameron has opposed another vote.

In response Ms Sturgeon has warned the Conservative leader that he has "no right" to rule out a second referendum.

SNP sources yesterday said that Mr Cameron could not prevent Scots expressing their democratic will.

Despite the legal right to hold a binding referendum remaining at Westminster, the Prime Minister could not block an "indicative" vote, they said.

And they suggested that any move by Mr Cameron against such a vote would merely increase support for independence.

One SNP source also pointed to the fact that Westminster agreed to last year's vote, adding: "Precedent is everything".

He also predicted that the party would win such a vote if it was held now, but insisted that there was no push at the moment for another referendum.

A spokesman for the Scottish Government said last night there were absolutely no plans for another independence vote.

He said: "The position is crystal clear - the General Election was not a mandate for another referendum. And there will only be another referendum if and when the people of Scotland back such a proposal at a Scottish Parliament election.

"It is not for David Cameron or any other single politician to try and dictate what Scotland's future should be - it will always be in the hands of the people."

Mr Cameron will today say: "It is is time to move beyond the debate about processes and focus on those bread and butter issues that affect every family in our United Kingdom - jobs, homes, good schools and strong public services, and dignity and respect in retirement.

"These are the building blocks we need to provide a brighter future for people in every part of our country."

The Tory leader will also restate his commitment to a Scotland devolution bill in his new government's first Queen's speech.

The meeting will be Mr Cameron's first visit to Scotland since he pledged a "One Nation agenda" in his victory speech last week.

He will say that he has come north of the border to underline his commitment to Scotland's place in the United Kingdom and to deliver on his promise to make Holyrood one of the most "accountable and powerful" devolved parliaments in the world.

"It also means recognising those things which unite us in these islands: the achievements we have made together, the institutions we have built together, our great social history, the common economic challenges we face today, and the strength which comes from pulling together for the common good in the future. This is our One Nation agenda in action," he will say.

Ahead of the meeting Ms Sturgeon said that she would take forward "a constructive and cooperative approach".

"But," she added, "as I have made crystal clear, the general election result last week, and the overwhelming mandate that has given the SNP, means that it simply cannot be 'business as usual' when it comes to Westminster's attitude to Scotland - whether on public spending or on more powers for Scotland."

She described the Smith Commission proposals as a "good starting point", but said the election result shows that people all across Scotland "are keen to move beyond the extra powers it identified".

The SNP took 56 of Scotland's 59 Westminster seats on election night, becoming the third largest party at Westminster.

They have now taken over what was the old Liberal Democrat corridor in Westminster, jokingly nicknaming it "Freedom Alley".

A spokesman for the First Minister said: "The process of further devolution should take account of views in Scotland.

"It's time for serious discussions on the back of the election result, as the FM made clear, it can't be business as usual.

"Things have changed significantly and (the meeting) is an opportunity for the Prime Minister to reflect on that as they take forward discussions on what happens next on the more powers agenda.

"I'm not going to pre-empt exactly what will be discussed, but I would expect it to be a serious and substantial meeting on that agenda."