The Prime Minister has vowed to put the "preservation" of Scotland's union with the rest of the UK at the heart of her negotiations to leave the EU.

In a major speech outlining Downing Street's approach to Brexit, Theresa May said ensuring the UK stays together will be "at the heart of everything we do".

While the majority of the UK voted to leave the EU, 62% of voters in Scotland backed staying in the organisation.

The First Minister criticised the speech saying it makes Scotland choosing a "different future" even "more likely".

Downing Street confirmed to STV News the Prime Minister and the First Minister spoke on the phone before the speech.

May also confirmed the final Brexit deal will go to a vote by MPs and members of the House of Lords.

The Prime Minister said: "We will put the preservation of our precious union at the heart of everything we do.

"It is only by coming together as one great union of nations and people that we can make the most of opportunities ahead."

May confirmed she will not seek any "associate" membership of the EU through her government's negotiations with Brussels.

She said: "We seek a new and equal partnership - between an independent, self-governing, global Britain and our friends and allies in the EU.

"Not partial membership of the European Union, associate membership of the European Union, or anything that leaves us half-in, half-out.

"We do not seek to adopt a model already enjoyed by other countries. We do not seek to hold on to bits of membership as we leave.

"The United Kingdom is leaving the European Union. My job is to get the right deal for Britain as we do."

This means the UK will exit the single market and the EU's customs union.

The Scottish Government has previously warned May such a Brexit deal may lead to a second independence referendum.

When announcing her own Brexit proposals, Sturgeon said: "If the real and substantial risks that Brexit poses to Scotland's interests cannot be mitigated within the UK, the option of choosing a better future through independence should be open to the Scottish people".

In response to May's speech, the First Minister said: "Scotland did not vote for the direction set out in the Prime Minister's speech today - and it is not in our national interests.

"For all her warm words, it is now clear that the UK is heading for a hard Brexit, which threatens to be economically catastrophic."

Sturgeon added: "The Scottish Government set out, before Christmas, compromise proposals that would protect Scotland's interests - and we made clear the central importance of single market membership to Scotland's economic and wider national interests.

"While discussions on those proposals continue, and while the Prime Minister today reiterated her pledge to give our plan proper consideration, we have not yet seen evidence that Scotland's voice is being listened to or our interests taken into account.

"That must change in short order if there is to be any confidence that Scotland's interests can be met within the UK.

"And if, as the PM has now signalled, the UK is not staying in the single market, then there must be serious engagement on our proposal to allow Scotland to do so.

The First Minister continued: "So while the Scottish Government will continue to take decisions in an orderly and responsible way, one thing should remain crystal clear - the Tory government cannot be allowed to act against Scotland's wishes and our interests, and reject all attempts at compromise.

"It seems the Westminster Tory government now think they can do anything to Scotland and get away with it.

"They must start to understand how wrong they are. The UK Government cannot be allowed to take us out of the EU and the single market, regardless of the impact on our economy, jobs, living standards and our reputation as an open, tolerant country, without Scotland having the ability to choose between that and a different future.

"With her comments today, the Prime Minister has only succeeded in making that choice more likely."

The Prime Minister also promised the devolved governments would not have any powers they currently have "taken away from them".