Scottish Daily Mail

First phone call to PM over new referendum

- By Michael Blackley

NICOLA Sturgeon has held talks with Boris Johnson for the first time since she stepped up her push for an independen­ce referendum next year.

The First Minister yesterday had a telephone conversati­on with the Prime Minister where she said she is ‘ready and willing’ to negotiate a section 30 order to allow a referendum.

Following last night’s talks, a Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘The First Minister discussed a range of topics with the Prime Minister. There was a shared recognitio­n of the efforts of both government­s in supporting the people of Ukraine.

‘The two leaders agreed a Heads of Government meeting to discuss the cost of living crisis. The First Minister again made clear the Scottish Government is ready and willing to negotiate a section 30 order to secure a referendum on independen­ce.’

Downing Street refused to be drawn on how Mr Johnson responded.

In a statement on social media, he said: ‘I’ve spoken to Nicola Sturgeon to herald the success of UK collaborat­ion supporting Ukraine. I thanked the Scottish Government’s £65million contributi­on in upping UK’s military aid.

‘Thank you Scotland.’

 ?? ?? Talks: Nicola Sturgeon
Talks: Nicola Sturgeon

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