The Scottish National Party has said its success in the UK General Election offers a mandate for a new independence referendum.

SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon said the “mandate to give people a choice must be respected” after her party secured 48 of Scotland’s 59 seats.

Ms Sturgeon spoke to the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson by phone yesterday evening.

A Downing Street spokesperson said Mr Johnson used the call to “reiterate his unwavering commitment to strengthening the union.”

“On Brexit, the prime minister said that he is now in a position to get this done in a way that allows the whole of the UK to move forward together, providing certainty for Scottish businesses and improving the lives of people right across Scotland,” said the spokesman.

He said Mr Johnson told Ms Sturgeon that he remained opposed to a second referendum and claimed that the majority of people in Scotland agreed with him.

Meanwhile, the EU Council President Charles Michel has called on the UK Parliament to pass the Brexit withdrawal agreement "as soon as possible."

It is expected a fresh vote will be put to MPs next week, after the Tories secured an 80-seat majority in Thursday's election.

Mr Johnson also spoke to the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and the German Chancellor Angela Merkel by phone last night.