(FILES) This file photo taken on June 25, 2016 shows Scotland's First Minister and Leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), Nicola Sturgeon, addresses the media outside Bute House in Edinburgh, Scotland. Scotland's government will publish a draft bill for an independence referendum next week as a last resort if it cannot keep close EU ties when Britain leaves the bloc, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said on October 13, 2016. "I can confirm today that the independence referendum bill will be published for consultation next week" in the Scottish parliament, Sturgeon told delegates at her Scottish National Party's annual conference. / AFP PHOTO / OLI SCARFF