Nicola Sturgeon has insisted "Scottish democracy will not be denied" after the Supreme Court today ruled that Holyrood does not have the power to call an independence referendum without approval from Westminster.
The First Minister said she was "disappointed" by the ruling of the judges but respected it after they issued a unanimous decision today in London.
The SNP leader had hoped to call an IndyRef2 on October 19 next year - but only if the Supreme Court agreed that MSPs could stage such a vote without the backing of the UK Government.
In a tweet, Sturgeon said: "While disappointed by it I respect ruling of the Supreme Court - it doesn't make law, only interprets it.
"A law that doesn't allow Scotland to choose our own future without Westminster consent exposes as myth any notion of the UK as a voluntary partnership and makes case for independence."
She added: "Today’s ruling blocks one route to Scotland’s voice being heard on independence – but in a democracy our voice cannot and will not be silenced."
Speaking at a press conference in Edinburgh, Sturgeon later confirmed the SNP would now look to use the next UK General Election as a "de facto" referendum - with details to be worked out at a special party conference in January.
She said: "Now that the Supreme Court’s ruling is known and de facto referendum is no longer hypothetical, it is necessary to agree the precise detail of the proposition we intend to put before the country,” Sturgeon said.
She added: "Given the magnitude of these decisions for the SNP, the process of reaching them is one the party as a whole must be fully and actively involved in.
"I can therefore confirm that I will be asking our National Executive Committee to convene a special party conference in the new year to discuss and agree the detail of a proposed ‘de facto referendum’.
"In the meantime, the SNP will launch and mobilise a major campaign in defence of Scottish democracy because we should be in no doubt that, as of today, democracy is what’s at stake."
Sturgeon added the opportunity "remains open for the UK Government, however belatedly, to accept a democracy and reach an agreement".
The First Minister said: "I make clear again today, therefore, that I stand ready at any time to reach agreement with the Prime Minister on an adjustment to the devolution settlement that enables a lawful, democratic referendum to take place."
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