NICOLA Sturgeon has told Theresa May that Brexit should be delayed long enough to hold a second EU referendum.

The First Minister spokes to the Prime Minister this afternoon, shortly before MPs again defeated Mrs May’s Brexit deal, this time by a margin of 149 votes

The conversation between the two leaders was revealed by SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford in the Commons chamber immediately after the 391-242 result.

He also held out the prospect of a second independence referendum.

He said: “We in the Scottish National Party will be prepared to engage in discussion with the government on securing an extension to Article 50 that is long enough to enable the issue to be put back to the people.

“This afternoon, the First Minister of Scotland told the Prime Minister that in the event of her deal was voted down again, we would engage constructively on sensible proposals.

“These proposals must include another EU referendum.”

Read more: Humiliated Theresa May suffers second Commons defeat as MPs reject Brexit deal

He said later: "The Prime Minister must finally act in the interests of all four nations of the UK - and not just her own party - by whipping her MPs to vote against a No-Deal Brexit and extend Article 50.

"Giving her MPs a free vote is a disgraceful dereliction of duty, the Prime Minister is clearly in office, but not in power. Extension of Article 50 is the only way to prevent lasting harm to jobs, living standards and the economy.

“Scotland's wishes have been completely ignored throughout the Brexit process. We voted to remain in the EU and we must not be dragged out against our will.

"The case for independence is stronger than ever. If Westminster continues to prove incapable of respecting Scotland's wishes - Scotland will move to protect our own interests."

Shadow Scotland Secretary Lesley Laird said: “After weeks of running down the clock, Theresa May’s dreadful deal has been defeated again in the Commons.

“This is a Prime Minister, in office but not in power, who drew needless red lines to appease hardline Brexiteers instead of reaching out in common sense to find common ground.

“Parliament must now vote to take no deal off the table.”

Read more: Iain Macwhirter: End of the road for May and perhaps the end of Brexit

Edinburgh South Labour MP Ian Murray, an advocate of a People’s Vote, said: “This latest humiliating defeat for the Prime Minister shows that she cannot command the support of MPs for her disastrous deal. It’s is disgraceful that she has run down the clock, and with time running out she must now stop playing this reckless game with people’s livelihoods.

“It is vital we seek to extend Article 50, rule out a calamitous no deal Brexit, and go back to the people with the option to keep the best deal we currently have as a member of the EU.”

Kerry Buist, Director of Scotland for a People’s Vote, said: "Yet again, the UK government has been defeated by a huge majority on one of the most important votes ever brought to the House of Commons – with 80 per cent of Scottish MPs rejecting Theresa May’s bad deal.

“With the days and hours draining away, a further spin of the wheel at Westminster for this dead deal would be utterly pointless. Instead, there is only one way forward – to hand the final decision back to the public through a People’s Vote.

“Polls show that people in the rest of the UK have joined with voters in Scotland in not wanting Brexit at all anymore – a People’s Vote is a democratic opportunity for Scotland’s wish to stay in the EU to be respected.”

Dr Liz Cameron OBE, head of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said the defeat would add to the “growing frustration and disappointment” felt by businesses around the country.

She said: “Firms have shouldered the burden of uncertainty for too long, and tonight's result will further impact on our capacity to trade, invest and hire.

"Business communities have warned time and time again that the UK is not ready to face the consequences of a disorderly exit from the European Union.

“Yet, we are alarmingly close to departing without a clearly thought-out plan - this must not be allowed to happen on 29th March, whether by default or design.

"With only 17 days to go, politicians on all sides must deliver for business and the economy, and seek to avoid the debilitating consequences that a no-deal outcome would have on the Scottish and UK economy."

Scottish LibDem MP Jamie Stone added: “The Prime Minister’s government has lost its authority and cannot take this forward. Parliament itself now has the job to get No Deal off the table. MPs should extend Article 50 to allow time to exit from this mess through a People’s Vote with the option of remaining in the EU.”