NICOLA Sturgeon has issued a scathing verdict on the "glaring contradiction" in Labour's position between Brexit and Scottish independence.
The former first minister appeared on Sky News' Sunday Morning programme, hosted by Helen Lewis, where she hit out at Andy Burnham.
It comes as the Prime Minister signalled he could go “all the way” and propose rejoining the European Union (EU) during his speech at the Labour Party conference earlier this week.
Burnham has continued to block a second independence referendum in Scotland, insisting that the matter is "off limits" in his first meeting with John Swinney since becoming Prime Minister in July.
He has since doubled down, saying he is focused on the cost of living crisis rather than on "constitutional debates".
Speaking on Sunday, Sturgeon pointed out the "glaring contradiction" between Labour's position on rejoining the EU and a second Scottish independence referendum.
The former first minister said: "I think it's right that they're opening up the Brexit question again and I hope Andy Burnham nails his colors to the mast of rejoining the EU.
"But you can't pick and choose when democracy applies."
Sturgeon continued: "People in a democracy do have the right to change their mind and I hope people change their minds on Brexit.
"But if you believe that you cannot say to the people of Scotland that you never ever again have the chance to consider the independence question, particularly when parties supporting independence and another referendum keep winning elections in Scotland, there's a bit of a contradiction there that I'm sure will play out."
The comments were also echoed by SNP depute leader Keith Brown, who said: “The Labour Party talk of the broken promises of Brexit – we can all agree on that – but they must also recognise the broken promises of Better Together and the changed circumstances of Scotland today.
“Poll after poll shows independence is the preferred position of the Scottish people, we have a record number of pro-independence MSPs in our Parliament and three quarters of this union is committed to constitutional change.
“The logic of Andy Burnham’s entirely reasonable decision to revisit Brexit must be extended to the future of Scotland – make no mistake, we take Andy Burnham’s reasonable words at face value."
He added: “Through the fresh start with independence we can build a wealthier Scotland back home in the EU – Scotland wants to re-join and we wholeheartedly believe it is a good idea for the UK to do so too.”
