Scottish opposition leaders have rounded on Nicola Sturgeon for refusing to rule out a second independence referendum.
The first minister revealed she will know in her “gut” whether the time is right to push for separation.
Labour and the Liberal Democrats interpreted her words as indication Ms Sturgeon will press for another vote despite promising that last September’s ballot was a “once-in-a-generation” event.
In a newspaper interview the first minister said she will not regard an SNP win next month as a mandate for a second referendum.
And she is ready to overrule the SNP on whether a referendum will be included in the manifesto.
“I think I will know in my gut whether it’s the right thing or wrong thing to do and that will be down to not what the SNP wants, or what the SNP thinks is right but what I think is right for Scotland and what I think the people of Scotland want,” she said.
Scottish Labour deputy leader Kezia Dugdale said it was clear the SNP were gearing up to claim victory in the general election as a mandate for a second referendum.
“Nicola Sturgeon just needs to be straight with the Scottish people about her plan for another referendum,” she said.
“It’s clear the first minister’s gut is telling her to put another referendum in the SNP’s manifesto next year. It’s about time she let the people of Scotland know that.
“Scots were promised during the referendum that it was a once-in-a-generation thing, but the SNP are going back on their word already.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said Ms Sturgeon’s comments left even more questions on the SNP’s plans “to renege” on its pledge the referendum was a once-in-a-generation event.
“Even Nicola Sturgeon’s gut should remember that Nicola Sturgeon’s mouth said there would not be another referendum for a lifetime,” he said.
“Instead of being all mysterious Nicola Sturgeon should rule out another referendum now.
“This latest statement takes one member one vote to the extreme. If Nicola Sturgeon and Nicola Sturgeon alone knows when the nationalists will put forward a second referendum, then Nicola Sturgeon should tell us now when it will be.”