NICOLA Sturgeon’s plans for a second independence referendum by 2021 have been dealt an immediate blow after Tory leadership contenders said they would block it.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid, International Development Secretary Rory Stewart and Brexit minister James Cleverly said they would refuse to grant Holyrood the necessary power to hold a vote.

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Other candidates to be the next Prime Minister are expected to follow suit.

Ms Sturgeon hit back, saying voters would not accept being denied a vote by a Tory PM.

It followed the First Minister publishing the legislation she hopes will pave the way for a new vote on the constitution in the second half of next year.

However the 168-page Referendums (Scotland) Bill only applies to issues within the current powers of the Scottish Parliament.

In order to form the basis of an independence referendum it would require the transfer of extra powers from Westminster under a so-called Section 30 order.

Ms Sturgeon has said she will ask Westminster for a Section 30 order in due course, buyut has been unable to say how she would get it from a reluctant government.

Theresa May has already refused to grant an order, saying “now is not the time”.

Now those vying to replace her as Prime Minister have also ruled it out.

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Mr Javid tweeted: “If I become PM, I won’t allow a second Scottish independence referendum. People stated views clearly in 2014, so there should be no second vote.

“Nicola Sturgeon should spend more time improving public services in Scotland, and less time grandstanding.”

Mr Stewart also ruled out a second referendum, retweeting a post from the Scottish Conservatives saying “Indyref? No way, Nicola.”

Mr Stewart wrote: “In everything we do and everything we say in this leadership race we should remember that the key is to unify the country and not divide the United Kingdom.”

He added: “It’s a No.”

In response to Ms Javid’s tweet, Ms Sturgeon said: “Memo to Tory leadership candidates: A majority of Scots - independence supporters and opponents alike - will not accept being told by a Tory PM that we are not ‘allowed’ to choose our own future (& PS, you have a lot to learn about good public service delivery from @theSNP gov).”

Mr Cleverly added: "I lived and worked in the Grampians and love Scotland. It is family, and I will do everything to stop the break up of the Union.

"I don’t support 2nd referendums."

Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson has said she expects all the candidates hoping to be the next Prime Minister to refused a Section 30, rendering Ms Sturgeon’s Bill impotent.

However the SNP leader knows she can also cite their refusals as evidence of the UK government ignoring Holyrood’s wishes, adding fuel to her campaign at the 20212 election.