Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed she will attend a summit called by Boris Johnson with the leaders of the devolved administrations.
Last night the Prime Minister invited the SNP leader for crisis talks on the Union after the First Minister warned he would be standing in the way of democracy if he denies Scotland a second independence referendum.
Boris Johnson, in a letter to Ms Sturgeon, argued the UK was “best served when we work together” and called for a conversation about “our shared challenges” in recovering from the pandemic.
READ MORE: Johnson invites Sturgeon to 'Team UK' four nations summit after election victory
Speaking on The Andrew Marr Show, the First Minister said: “I will work with the Prime Minister and anybody in the interests of Covid recovery, of course I will, I have done it all through the last year.”
“I also want to be in a position where our decisions around the Covid recovery long-term are not dependent on decisions Boris Johnson takes.
“Because I guess at some point we will find out that takes Scotland in a direction we don’t want to go in.”
Asked if the legislation for a referendum could be put before the Scottish Parliament early next year, Nicola Sturgeon said she “wouldn’t rule that out” but insisted that she remained focused on tackling the Covid-19 crisis.
Asked if she would be the First Minister to deliver independence for Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon said: “I hope so.”
READ MORE: SNP deputy leader Keith Brown calls for Indyref2 'at earliest possible opportunity'
“I have just won a landslide election and another five-year term as First Minister.
“I have got the energy, the appetite, to get on with the job. Firstly to get us through Covid, that is my priority, and then I hope to lead to Scotland to independence.
“The future of Scotland, and I hope the independent future of Scotland, is much bigger than any one individual politician.”
The Prime Minister last night wrote: "I believe passionately that the interests of people across the UK and in particular the people of Scotland are best served when we work together.
"The UK Government’s ability to procure vaccines at scale has benefited people in all parts of our country.
"The dedicated and hardworking staff of NHS Scotland have ensured jabs have been put into arms from Gretna to John o’ Groats.
"This is Team UK in action, and I recommit the United Kingdom Government to working with the Scottish Government in this cooperative spirit."
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