Nicola Sturgeon has informed Boris Johnson a second independence referendum is a matter of “when” not "if.
The First Minister made the claim to the Prime Minister during a telephone call following the SNP’s election victory.
The SNP secured a fourth term in office last week and Sturgeon’s immediate priorities will be reshuffling her cabinet and dealing with covid.
A majority of MSPs are pro-independence and the SNP and Greens want a second referendum at some point when covid has passed.
However, the UK Government has warned it will not agree to a referendum, which may result in the Scottish Parliament organising a referendum on its own.
The stage was set for a tense conversation between Sturgeon and Johnson today.
Following discussions, a spokesperson for the First Minister said: "The First Minister spoke to the Prime Minister this afternoon, and thanked him for his congratulations on her re-election.
"The First Minister made clear that her immediate focus was on steering the country through Covid and into recovery, and that a newly elected Scottish Government would work with the UK government as far as possible on that aim.
“They also agreed the importance of the two governments working together closely and constructively to achieve a successful hosting of and outcome from COP26.
"The FM also re-iterated her intention to ensure that the people of Scotland can choose our own future when the crisis is over, and made clear that the question of a referendum is now a matter of when - not if.”
The Tories have said they would boycott a referendum run by Holyrood and there has been speculation about a challenge in the courts.
In interviews today, Tory Cabinet Minister Michael Gove appeared to suggest the UK government would not challenge a referendum in this way.
Sturgeon said: “I think it would be absurd and completely outrageous if it ever got to that point.”
