Sturgeon presses case for independence referendum with Boris Johnson

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has told Prime Minister Boris Johnson that Scotland will not be “refused the democratic right to choose” its future in a referendum.

Sturgeon spoke to Johnson in a telephone call yesterday, re-iterating her plan to press ahead with a second referendum even without a section 30 order from the UK Government.

The call is the first time the two leaders have spoken since the First Minister set out her plan for a second referendum at Holyrood last week.

She told MSPs she plans to hold a vote in October next year and will attempt to legislate even without a section 30 - the mechanism that allows Holyrood to pass laws usually reserved to Westminster.

Following the call, a Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The First Minister discussed a range of topics with the Prime Minister during their brief telephone call.

“There was a shared recognition of the efforts of both the Scottish and UK Governments in supporting the people of Ukraine including recent financial support for military assistance and the work that has gone into helping citizens choosing to temporarily make their home in Scotland.

“The two leaders agreed that a Heads of Government meeting will take place in the near future to discuss the current cost of living crisis. Both governments will work together to develop proposals ahead of that meeting to help those most in need of support.

“In discussing Scotland’s future the First Minister again made clear that the Scottish Government is ready and willing to negotiate a section 30 order to secure a referendum on independence but reiterated that the absence of a section 30 order will not mean Scotland is refused the democratic right to choose.”

The Prime Minister tweeted: “I've just spoken to @NicolaSturgeon  to herald the success of UK collaboration supporting Ukraine. I thanked the @ScotGov’s £65 million contribution in upping UK’s military aid to Ukraine to £2.3 billion & efforts to help house 6,000 Ukrainian refugees. Thank you, Scotland.”