A picture of Nicola Sturgeon writing a letter to Theresa May invoked memories of a photo of Margaret Thatcher at Downing Street in the 1980s. Picture: AFP/The Scottish Government/Stuart Nichol

The Scottish First minister has sent a letter requesting the powers for another vote — which was delivered to Downing Street overnight, reports The Sun.

The Scottish Government posted a picture of Scotland’s barefoot First Minister curled up on a couch writing the Easter ultimatum in her Bute House residence.

In a similar pose to that of Lady Margaret Thatcher, the letter formally requests a second vote on Scottish independence.

Downing Street confirmed that it had received the Section 30 letter via email, and that a response would be sent in due course.

The Scottish First Minister claimed in the letter that the voices of Scotland have been “ignored” and there was “no rational reason” for her to “stand in the way of the will of the Scottish Parliament.”

Theresa May (with Nicola Sturgeon) has said that “now is not the time” for another vote. Picture: AFP/Russell CheyneSource:AFP

Ms Sturgeon said that the question is “not if, but how” Scotland will have another vote — despite opinion polls showing no clear support for independence.

And she called for a “more direct role and influence” for the devolved administrations going forward.

She added: “The people of Scotland must have the right to choose our own future — in short, to exercise our right of self determination.”

Mrs May has said she will deny the request, saying now is “not the time” for another vote — which the First Minister wants to happen slap bang in the middle of Brexit talks.

Scotland rejected independence by 55 per cent in 2014, but voted by 62 per cent to remain in the European Union last year.

But Ms Sturgeon says she wants to negotiate with the British government “in good faith and with a willingness to compromise” over the terms of a new referendum.

This week Scottish MSPs voted by 69 to 59 in favour of seeking permission for an independence referendum to take place between autumn 2018 and spring 2019.

Scotland rejected independence by 55 per cent in 2014, but voted by 62 per cent to remain in the European Union last year. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

But a Downing Street spokesman said at the time: “The Prime Minister has been clear that now is not the time for a second independence referendum, and we will not be entering into negotiations on the Scottish Government’s proposal.

“At this point, all our focus should be on our negotiations with the European Union, making sure we get the right deal for the whole of the UK.

“It would be unfair to the people of Scotland to ask them to make a crucial decision without the necessary information about our future relationship with Europe, or what an independent Scotland would look like.

Scottish National Party MSP's applaud after the vote on a second referendum on independence was carried at Scotland's Parliament in Edinburgh. Picture: AFP/Russell CheyneSource:AFP

“We have been joined together as one country for more than 300 years. We’ve worked together, we’ve prospered together, we’ve fought wars together, and we have a bright future. At this crucial time we should be working together, not pulling apart.”

Ms Sturgeon claimed in a separate video message that the UK government had decided to take Scotland out of the Single Market “against the will of the majority of people who live here”.

In a hint that she would be flexible on the timing of a second vote, she said she was would take forward plans “when the time is right”.

Nicola Sturgeon said the people of Scotland “must have the right to choose our own future.” Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said: “People across Scotland will be dismayed that Nicola Sturgeon is more focused on re-running the arguments of the past than doing her job of running our public services.

“Scotland doesn’t need or want a second independence referendum. There is absolutely no evidence that another divisive referendum is the will of the people of Scotland.

“We need the SNP Government to get on with the job of governing.”

Nicola Sturgeon said that the question is “not if, but how” Scotland will have another vote — despite opinion polls showing no clear support for independence. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

This story was originally published in The Sun and is reprinted with permission