The Scottish Government will publish a draft Referendum Bill next week, the First Minister has said.

Nicola Sturgeon made the announcement in her welcoming address to delegates at the SNP's conference at the SECC in Glasgow.

It came after Angus Robertson was elected the new depute leader of the party.

Sturgeon said any second independence referendum will be held before the UK formally leaves the European Union.

Theresa May has said she will trigger the two year process to leave the organisation before April 1 next year.

At a briefing to journalists after the SNP leader's speech, her spokeswoman was asked if Scotland could be a sovereign, independent state before the UK leaves the EU. The First Minister's spokeswoman replied "yes".

Sturgeon told conference delegates: "I am determined that Scotland will have the ability to reconsider the question of independence - and to do so before the UK leaves the EU - if that is necessary to protect our country's interests.

"So I can confirm today that the Independence Referendum Bill will be published for consultation next week."

The SNP leader also said her party's MPs will vote against the Great Repeal Bill when it comes before Westminster next year.

The legislation will unpick European legislation and formally see the UK leave the EU.

Sturgeon also announced the Scottish Government will call on the UK Government to transfer further powers to the Scottish Parliament as part of its plans to leave the European Union.

She said: "We will seek to make this plan a key element of the UK's Article 50 negotiation. It will require substantial additional powers for the Scottish Parliament.

"All the powers in our areas of responsibility that currently lie with the EU - and significant new powers too.

"Powers to strike international deals. And greater powers over immigration. Powers not just to protect our economy, but also our values.

"UK ministers might believe it acceptable to order businesses to create lists of foreign workers. We do not."

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said her party's MSPs will vote against any Referendum Bill at Holyrood.

Dugdale said: "This confirms that the SNP's priority is not education, or healthcare or tackling poverty.

"Nicola Sturgeon's top priority is to divide our nation once again. But our country is already divided following the Tories' reckless Brexit gamble and we should not be seeking further divisions.

"Our economy is in trouble, and the last thing we need is the uncertainty of another independence referendum.

She added: "It is little over two years since more than two million Scots voted to reject independence.

"Nicola Sturgeon promised us that she would respect that result and said the referendum would put the issue to bed for a 'generation'.

"She should keep that promise. Scottish Labour will vote against any referendum Bill that she brings before parliament."

The Liberal Democrats also pledged to oppose any referendum legislation at Holyrood.

The party's MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton tweeted: "For the avoidance of any doubt, I and my parliamentary colleagues will steadfastly oppose any legislative move to bring forward #indyref2."

The Scottish Conservatives have also repeatedly stated they will vote against any second independence referendum legislation.

Ruth Davidson, the party's leader, accused the First Minister of playing "to the SNP gallery" and not governing for the whole of Scotland.

She said: "This isn't the action of a First Minister of Scotland but an SNP fundamentalist who puts independence first, last and always.

"We had a referendum on independence two years ago.

"We were told it was once in a generation. Despite the lack of support for a re-run, the SNP has now gone back on its promise to respect that result.

"People can be assured that the Scottish Conservatives will oppose any attempt to drag Scotland into a second referendum - and will demand that the SNP puts its focus back on the day job."

If the bill is put forward at Holyrood, the Scottish Government will have to relay on the support of the Scottish Greens' six MSPs.

The party supports independence and was part of the Yes Scotland campaign in 2014.

It has previously said if a million Scots signed a petition calling for a second independence referendum it would back such a move.

A spokesman for Greens told STV News: "Independence may be Scotland's best hope of remaining in the EU, and it's right that preparations are made and the case continues to be built.

"The Scottish Greens look forward to the consultation on the proposed independence referendum bill."

Following May's Holyrood election the SNP have 69 seats, two short of a majority.