Starmer agrees to meet Swinney to discuss the constitution

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has agreed to talks with First Minister John Swinney about the constitution.

It follows a phone call between the pair on Tuesday evening.

The Scottish government said Sir Keir rang to congratulate Swinney on the SNP's election victory.

He made clear that he did not support independence or another referendum but agreed to a bi-lateral meeting next month after the first minister pointed out there were a record number of pro-independence MSPs.

Swinney said it was "particularly welcome" that the prime minister had agreed to meet next month "to discuss a referendum on independence".

The SNP won a fifth successive Scottish Parliament election on Thursday, but fell short of their target of an overall majority at Holyrood.

The party won 58 seats, with 65 needed for a majority.

However, overall, there is a majority of parties at Holyrood who support Scottish independence - with the SNP and the Greens totalling 73 of the 129 seats.

The prime minister told Swinney he wanted to work together where possible.

The first minister thanked him and made clear his commitment to tackle the cost of living, including through a statutory cap on the price of essential grocery items in large supermarkets.

Swinney also highlighted the potential relevance of the Internal Market Act in that respect.

The face-to-face meeting between the two leaders will take place ahead of a meeting between the leaders of all four UK nations.

A spokesperson for Swinney said: "The first minister is pleased that the prime minister reached out to congratulate him on his emphatic election win and that the prime minister stressed his willingness to work in collaboration with the Scottish Government where possible.

"Given the SNP's landslide victory and the fact that the people of Scotland have elected more pro-independence MSPs than at any point in the parliament's history, the previous refusal of the UK government to consider Scotland's right to decide its own future was clearly unsustainable.

"A way forward must be found and so these discussions are welcome."

He added: "Coming alongside Labour MSPs making clear that there must be a way for this question to be resolved, it is now very clear that the momentum is building behind Scotland's right to decide.

"The first minister looks forward to the talks with the UK government, and is confident that the people of Scotland will choose the fresh start of independence."

Downing Street has been asked for comment.

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: "Even by Sir Keir Starmer's dismal standards this is an extraordinary capitulation to John Swinney.

"We warned during the election campaign that if Swinney achieved his self-imposed 'mandate' of an SNP majority, Starmer would be likely to surrender to his referendum demands.

"But for Starmer to entertain talks on the subject when the nationalists haven't even met their own target is downright foolish and reckless."

He added: "If he wasn't so weak, Starmer would have sent Swinney packing and told him to get on with the day job.

"Labour and Reform, who have a pro-independence MSP in their ranks, naively pander to the nationalist obsession of breaking up the UK. "