The First Minister has written to the Prime Minister seeking a number of urgent clarifications over the Brexit process.

The UK Government has repeatedly stated it hopes to strike a two-year transitional deal with the European Union before a future permanent trade deal kicks in.

On Monday, Theresa May told MPs there could be no "implementation period" unless both sides have an agreed "future partnership".

Talks on a trade deal are yet to begin and May has previously warned she would be prepared to leave the EU without signing one as "no deal is better than a bad deal".

Nicola Sturgeon has now asked the Prime Minister to clarify her government's position on a transitional period.

Downing Street spokeswom said: "We will respond to the letter thoroughly in due course."

In the letter to the Prime Minister, Sturgeon said: "Given the differences in recent statements both from you and from those ministers with responsibility for Brexit I believe absolute clarity of the UK Government's aims in this regard is required and would be welcomed."

She added: "I am increasingly concerned by the possibility that your negotiations may result in a 'no deal' scenario.

"The Scottish Parliament gave a clear view this week that a no deal situation would not be acceptable and I believe that if the UK finds itself in that position, that no Brexit would be preferable to no deal - or indeed a bad deal - and that each of the parliaments in the UK must have the opportunity to take a view on that."