Nicola Sturgeon has challenged the UK Government to begin talks over how Scotland can secure another referendum on independence following this week's Supreme Court ruling.
The First Minister said it remained "open" to Westminster to "respect democracy" and reach an agreement with the Scottish Government on the way forward.
Speaking at Holyrood today, the SNP leader told MSPs the judges' verdict disproved any notion of the UK being a "voluntary partnership of nations".
And she accused Unionist politicians of wanting "to silence Scotland's voice because they are scared of what Scotland might say".
It comes after the Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that the Scottish Parliament does not have the power to call a referendum on independence without the prior approval of Westminster.
The decision put an end to Sturgeon's plan to call an IndyRef2 next year and raises questions on how the constitutional row between Holyrood and Westminster can be resolved.
The First Minister said: "While of course disappointed by it, I respect and accept the Supreme Court's judgement on the Lord Advocate's reference, regarding the Scottish Government's powers to legislate for an independence referendum.
"However, the denial of democracy by Westminster parties demonstrates now beyond any doubt that the notion of the UK as a voluntary partnership of nations is not, if it ever was, a reality.
"It remains open, of course, to the UK Government to respect democracy and to reach an agreement with the Scottish Government for a lawful, constitutional, democratic referendum.
"However, regardless of attempts by Westminster to block democracy, I will always work to ensure that Scotland's voice is heard - and that the future of Scotland is always in Scotland's hands."
SNP MSP Stephanie Callaghan asked the First Minister why the UK Government was "continuing to shy away" from opening talks with Holyrood over a referendum.
Sturgeon replied: "Unionist Westminster politicians want to silence Scotland's voice because they are scared of what Scotland might say - it's quite simple.
"Any politician who was confident of their case - and confident of being able to persuade others of their case - would not be trying to block democracy, they would be embracing democracy.
"So I think we know everything we need to know about the views of Westminster Unionist parties by their determination to block Scotland's democracy, but it will not prevail.
"I think Unionist politicians with the power of independent thinking probably understand that yesterday's judgement raises profoundly questions about the basis and the future of the United Kingdom.
"Any partnership in which one partner needs the consent of another to choose its own future is not voluntary - it's not even a partnership."
The Record has asked the UK Government for comment.
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