Responding to Annabel Goldie's remarks at the Tory conference in Manchester, Scottish National Party Deputy Leader Nicola Sturgeon said: "Another week, another London party conference, and yet more confusion and inconsistency on the issue of a referendum on Scotland's future.

"Annabel Goldie's opposition to a referendum is just as illogical and anti-democratic as that of Labour and the Lib Dems.

"The Tories oppose a Scottish constitutional referendum next year - when we will be recovering from recession.  But they want a constitutional referendum on Europe and the Lisbon Treaty as soon as possible, regardless of the current economic circumstances.

"Within minutes of Annabel Goldie rejecting the right of the people of Scotland to choose independence, William Hague was extolling the virtues of a European referendum on the powers of Westminster!

"The Tories' problem in Scotland is that they do not trust the people. They are out of touch with Scotland's aspirations, and clearly do not have confidence in their ability to win support in a Scottish referendum.

"The SNP are extremely confident about winning the case for independence. What the Scottish Government propose is a free and fair referendum so that the people can choose Scotland's future in a democratic vote.  We seek a new relationship of equality with our friends and neighbours south of the Border within a new social union, including the Queen as our shared head of state, and we believe that the people of Scotland will rally to that positive future."