FIRST Minister Nicola Sturgeon has formally requested the power to hold a second Scottish independence referendum and stated there is “no rational reason” for PM Theresa May to block it.

Ms Sturgeon’s letter to officially request a Section 30 order — which will grant Holyrood the power to hold a vote — was received by Westminster yesterday.

MSPs voted this week 69 to 59 in favour of seeking permission for a referendum to take place no later than spring 2019.