Former justice secretary Kenny MacAskill has warned the SNP not to go into a "headlong rush" to a second independence referendum.

He said leaving the European Union creates "too many unanswered questions" which the party has yet to answer.

MacAskill fears these questions would be put forward at such a referendum.

Writing in the Herald newspaper, MacAskill said Scottish history is "littered with tales of headlong rushes to disaster" and he hopes "wiser counsel" will prevail in the SNP.

The former MSP conceded it would not be easy to let down activists who want a second referendum.

MacAskill said: "It's difficult in politics to restrain some activists when passions run so high but sometimes that needs done. It's frustrating but essential for ultimate success.

"The SNP would be wiser to be working on the answers to critical questions that cost victory in the last referendum.

"It should also be working in and cherishing the constituencies won in its wake."

MacAskill's comments just come a day after SNP MSP Joan McAlpine said the First Minister has put a second referendum "on the back burner".

The First Minister has set out that she wants to get the "least worst option" for the UK in the the Brexit negotiations.

On June 24, the day after the EU referendum, Sturgeon said a second independence referendum will take place if Holyrood judges it to be the "best or only way" to protect "our place in Europe".

When asked how likely such a poll is, Sturgeon replied "highly likely".

The First Minister has instructed her ministers to draft a referendum bill which she will put to MSPs if she judges it to be the best option to protect the country's relationship with Europe.

Former First Minister Alex Salmond said on Friday that he "expects" a second referendum to be held in the autumn of 2018.