Nicola Sturgeon says Scottish independence referendum will happen in 'earlier part' of next parliamentary term

Prime Minister was thrown by the question and left chief medical officer Chris Whitty to answer a technical point while he came up with an answer. After some consideration Johnson srcambled for the possibility of a Brexit deal on fishing that would give Scottish boats a bigger share of quota in the New Year.

coronavirus deaths recorded in Scotland overnight. The First Minister also announced in her daily briefing 689 new cases of Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, taking the total figure to 108,438.The death toll now sits at 4,173.Some 1,031 patients are currently in hospital being treated for the deadly virus with 49 of those in intensive care.It comes as Boris Johnson is resisting changes to the UK’s Christmas visiting restrictions despite growing fears easing lockdown will lead to “many” deaths.

Michael Gove is joining day-two of crisis talks on the future of plans for up to three households to mix between December 23 and 27. The talks involve all devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.They broke up yesterday after the first summit ended without an agreement.

decision not to ease restrictions was unpopular but warned: "It would be like pouring petrol on smouldering embers." Sturgeon defended the decisions as public health officials and politicians prepare to set Scotland's 32 council area tiers for another week. The First Minister will announce what levels are being imposed during a statement at Holyrood on Tuesday afternoon.Last week's review saw Glasgow and 10 neighbouring councils leave the highest level 4 curbs.

the Union. A parliament was eventually established in Edinburgh in 1999 and now consecutive opinion polls find independence to be in the lead.Boris Johnson has vowed another referendum will not take place and last month described devolution as "a disaster" for UK unity.

Our Politics newsletter is now daily.

Sadiq Khan and Manchester leader Andy Burnham - have written to Boris Johnson to demand he looks again the constitutional status quo. The letter warns there is worrying evidence that a growing number of Scots are "losing faith" in the union.

will be given jabs at 23 sites across Scotland under the initial phase of a national programme which will eventually see millions of people protected against coronavirus. Among those who will be first in line for the vaccine is Andrew Mencnarowski, a senior staff nurse at the Western General in Edinburgh.

will be given jabs at 23 sites across Scotland under the initial phase of a national programme which will eventually see millions of people protected against coronavirus. Among those who will be first in line for the vaccine is Andrew Mencnarowski, a senior staff nurse at the Western General in Edinburgh.

Murdo Fraser claimed the First Minister had "pandered" to republicans in her own party. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived at Edinburgh Waverley station today as part of a whistle-stop tour of the UK, aimed at thanking frontline workers of the pandemic.

Nicola Sturgeon.The leader of the country’s top teachers’ trade union also called the payment a “political ploy”.Sturgeon this week unveiled plans for a £500 payment for all full-time health and social care workers in recognition of their “extraordinary” service during coronavirus.With tax liable on the one-off Scottish Government payment, she also urged Boris Johnson to allow these workers to receive the full amount.However, a call has been made to recognise other staff who have contributed to

the crisis. She said the right to leaving the UK is "inalienable" and taunted Prime Minister Boris Johnson to try to block another pro-independence majority at Holyrood.

festive tradition is the latest in line to fall victim to strict public health rules which already banned Halloween guising and bonfire night gatherings. The Scottish Government has not finalised the rules but carol singing is being reviewed along with other traditions, including popular Santa's grottos for children.Nicola Sturgeon said work is under way shortly after a Boris Johnson spokesman said permission was granted in England.

referendum. Before the first speeches, Sturgeon said she has "never been so certain" Scotland will achieve independence.

First Minister spoke ahead of her party’s annual conference today by telling members she has “never been so certain” the country will achieve independence.Her party is riding high in opinion polls and is widely tipped to win a majority of MSPs at next year's Holyrood election.That could set off a constitutional showdown with Westminster as the SNP uses its mandate to demand an IndyRef2 takes place.While Prime Minister Boris Johnson has repeatedly said he will not allow another referendum on

indyref2 should take place in 2021 if it is “safe” and claimed Boris Johnson would not block another vote.However, in an interview with the Daily Record, he declined to be drawn on the broken relationship between Sturgeon and Alex Salmond.He also refused to say whether he would campaign alongside the former SNP leader if there was a referendum.The SNP’s virtual conference starts today amid calls by senior party figures for another vote on Scotland’s constitutional future.Indyref2 will be central

post-Brexit paperwork for fish products.

pandemic, says Boris Johnson.The Prime Minister sent a message to the SNP on 'rebuilding' the UK 'from its ravages' in the wake of the pandemic that's killed over 50,000 Brits this year so far.Johnson insisted that this was no time for Scots to contemplate 'division or distraction about our national constitution'.The PM also slammed Nicola Sturgeon for her 'focus on separation' and vented that it 'had to stop'.His address was during a Scottish Conservative virtual conference.It comes days after