BORIS Johnson has replied to Nicola Sturgeon’s request for the power to hold a second Scottish independence referendum to be transferred to Holyrood.

Responding, the First Minister said the Prime Minister's response had been anticipated, but she accused Johnson of trying to deny democracy.

The SNP leader said MSPs would be asked to "again endorse Scotland’s right to choose" before the end of the month.

READ MORE: Boris Johnson publishes response to SNP's Section 30 request

READ MORE: First Minister responds to Boris Johnson's Section 30 rejection​

Here is Johnson’s letter in full.

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Dear Nicola, Thank you for your correspondence of December 19 2019.

I have carefully considered and noted the arguments set out for a transfer of power from the UK Parliament to the Scottish Parliament to allow for further independence referendums.

You and your predecessor made a personal promise that the 2014 Independence Referendum was a 'once in a generation' vote.

The people of Scotland voted decisively on that promise to keep our United Kingdom together, a result which both the Scottish and UK Governments committed to respect in the Edinburgh Agreement.

The UK Government will continue to uphold the democratic decision of the Scottish people and the promise that you made to them.

For that reason I cannot agree to any request for a transfer of power that would lead to further independence referendums.

Another independence referendum would continue the political stagnation that Scotland has seen for the last decade, with Scottish schools, hospitals and jobs again left behind because of a campaign to separate the UK.

It is time that we all worked to bring the whole of the United Kingdom together and unleash the potential of this great country.

Yours ever, Boris.