Scottish leader unveils new independence plan

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Thursday unveiled plans for a new independence referendum in case her demands for more autonomy and for Scotland to stay in Europe's single market are not met.

Sturgeon said she would publish a draft referendum bill next week, accusing the British government of pushing for a "hard Brexit" and stirring up "xenophobia" with proposals to cut EU immigration.

"The independence referendum bill will be published for consultation next week" in the Scottish parliament, Sturgeon told delegates at her Scottish National Party's annual conference.