Johnson on course for Scottish independence clash with Sturgeon

Prime Minister Boris Johnson in front of a giant inflatable of himself as he meets and newly elected MP Jill Mortimer at Jacksons Wharf in Hartlepool, County Durham, following Ms Mortimer’s victory in the Hartlepool parliamentary by-election. Picture date: Friday May 7, 2021.

Boris Johnson has set himself on course for a constitutional clash with Nicola Sturgeon if she pushes ahead with plans for a second Scottish independence referendum.

Counting continues in the Scottish parliamentary contest, with the SNP leader’s hopes of achieving a majority on a knife edge.