The Spiro Hep Cats

The Prime Minister has spoken to Scotland's First Minister for the First Time since she outlined how she plans to hold a lawful independence referendum.

Nicola Sturgeon raised the issue in a phone call with Boris Johnson .

He Said he would respond to her letter on an independence referendum " in due course".

During The Call Mr Johnson also thanked Ms Sturgeon for Scotland's contribution to the UK's military aid for Ukraine.

And he raised the prospect of a summit later this year to tackle the cost of living crisis.

Ms Sturgeon to ask to negotiate the terms of a which would temporarily transfer The Power to hold a referendum from Westminster to Holyrood.

The UK government said it would examine her proposals, but its position was that " now is not the time" for another referendum.

The Supreme Court was also asked to rule on whether the Scottish Government has The Power to hold a vote without UK government approval.

If it rules that Holyood does not have The Power to hold a referendum, Ms Sturgeon said The Next general election would be a " De Facto referendum".

Following the leaders' conversation on Monday evening, a Scottish Government spokesman said Ms Sturgeon made it clear she was " ready and willing" to negotiate a section 30 order.

He added: " [The First Minister ] reiterated that The Absence of a section 30 order will not mean Scotland is refused the democratic right to choose. "

The Prime Minister acknowledged Ms Sturgeon's letter and said he would respond formally in due course.

Earlier, he told The Commons : " I think right now the priorities of the country should be rebuilding after cCovid.

" They should be taking us forward together as a united country, and that's what we want them to do. "

Ms Sturgeon proposed 19 October 2023 for another independence referendum, asking the question: " Should Scotland be an independent country? "

The same question was asked during the 2014 vote when Scottish voters backed remaining in the UK by 55% to 45%.

The leaders also discussed the UK's military aid to Ukraine during their telephone call.

Scotland has contributed £65m to the £2. 3bn UK fund for the war-torn country, and it has also helped to house 6,000 Refugees .

The UK has also spent £1. 5bn in humanitarian and economic support for Ukraine.

Following their conversation, Mr Johnson tweeted: " I've just spoken to Nicola Sturgeon to herald the success of UK collaboration supporting Ukraine.

" I thanked the Scottish Government 's £65m contribution in upping the UK's military aid to Ukraine to £2. 3bn and efforts to help house 6,000 Ukrainian Refugees . "

Mr Johnson and Ms Sturgeon also discussed a summit with the leaders of all the UK nations to address the cost of living crisis.

The Scottish Government 's spokesman added: " 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. "

Source of news: bbc.com