Nicola Sturgeon pledges second referendum as SNP lands election win

First minister says there is no democratic justification' for No 10 denying second vote

• Elections 2021: results and reaction - live

Nicola Sturgeon has pledged to press ahead with plans for a second independence referendum after the Scottish National party won its fourth consecutive Holyrood election, triggering a constitutional battle with Boris Johnson.

After counting ended late on Saturday evening, the SNP won 64 seats, missing out on an overall majority by just one seat, after winning a record number of constituencies despite a surge in anti-independence tactical voting.