During a phone conversation on Sunday, Nicola Sturgeon reiterated to Boris Johnson her intention to ensure that the people of Scotland can “choose our own future,” a spokesman for the first minister has said.
The SNP’s leader is said to have made clear “that the question of [an independence] referendum is now a matter of when, not if”.
It comes as legislation for Scottish independence could be put before the country’s parliament by early next year, according to Ms Sturgeon who told The Andrew Marr Show she “wouldn’t rule” the possibility out.
“The people of Scotland re-elected me as first minister with the first task of continuing to steer us through this pandemic, getting us into recovery,” she said.
“That brings into sharp focus where do decisions lie. I am not sure the kind of recovery [Mr Johnson] envisages is one that the majority of people in Scotland would support.”
Britain’s prime minister has invited the SNP leader for crisis talks, telling her in a letter that UK residents are “best served when we work together”.
Meanwhile, Keir Starmer is expected to reshuffle Labour’s top team today following the party’s disastrous local election results, The Independent understands.
He has already sacked his deputy Angela Rayner from her role as chair and campaign co-ordinator following the party’s disappointing electoral results, including losing a key by-election in Hartlepool and key seats across England.
