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Scotland has been given a mixed report in an important piece of international research on education.

The Pisa report, external measures the performance of 600,000 15-year-olds worldwide.

Since the last report, Scotland's performance in reading has improved but it declined in maths and science.

Education Secretary John Swinney welcomed the improvement in reading but said there were still challenges in science and maths.

• Read more
• Pisa tests: UK rises in international school rankings

Gary Robertson says that, given the performance in the Pisa scores, how should the public judge her.

They should judge us on making progress but still with a lot to do, Ms Sturgeon replies.

The GMS presenter points out maths and science have remained stagnant since 2005.

The first minister counters this by saying there has been a marked improvement in reading due to government initiatives, but accepts more needs to be done in maths and science.

The GMS presenter turns to education and says academics at Reform Scotland are saying that knowledge of changes in pupil performance is at a 70 year low due to axed surveys and the SNP hiding results of national tests.

Gary Robertson asks if the first minister will commit to rejoining international education surveys.

The first minister says she has not seen the Reform Scotland report, but insists there is probably more data around education than we have ever had.

She points to Pisa, the Curriculum for Excellence data and standardised assessments, which she argues are much richer and detailed data sets.

Gary Robertson raises the case of Denise Finlay, an SNP conduct committee member who was suspended over anti-Semitic language.

When things come to light we deal with it, which is perhaps different from other parties says Ms Sturgeon.

Gary Robertson asks about the candidate for the Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath constituency that the SNP dropped, after allegations of anti-semitism were made against him.

The GMS presenter says Neale Hanvey is calling for readmission to the party and asks if that would be considered.

The first minister replies that is up to a disciplinary process, pointing out the party made a robust decision when his anti-Semitic comments came to light, but the process now is independent of her.

Mr Robertson says Lesley Laird says he is still using SNP branding, to Ms Sturgeon replies she has said members should not be supporting his campaign.

He should not be using SNP materials and she has seen no evidence that he has, adds the first minister.

• A full list of candidates for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath is available here., external

We should come together and do everything we can to stop Boris Johnson getting a majority, reiterates the first minister.

Gary Robertson says if Jeremy Corbyn has the opportunity to form a government, why would she turn down the prospect of £100bn for Scotland because it is independence or nothing.

The first minister replies she would be offering support to a minority Labour government, with certain conditions.

Nobody is suggesting Labour is going to turn its back on being able to form a government because of the timing of indyref2, she says.

"We will not put the Tories into government."

Nicola Sturgeon has refused to rule out taking legal action if a Conservative government blocks a second Scottish independence vote.

Appearing on BBC Breakfast the SNP leader said she would not hold a Catalan-style unauthorised vote.

Ms Sturgeon was pressed on what her options would be given that Boris Johnson has repeatedly said he will not permit indyref2.

She would "cross that bridge then" but would "consider all options", she said.

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Could both referendums happen on the same day?

The first minister says discussion on that could take place, but the first priority is to vote to ensure Boris Johnson does not have a majority.

Could indyref2 go ahead without a Section 30 order, asks Gary Robertson.

The first minister says a referendum has to be legal and accepted in terms of its legitimacy.

Ms Sturgeon says before the end of this year she will make that request for the transfer of powers necessary to call indyref2.

The Good Morning Scotland presenter asks which referendum would the first minister like to be held first: another EU referendum or indyref2?

Ms Sturgeon replies it looks as if the EU one would come first and then an independence referendum by the end of next year.

The SNP leader reiterates her desire for the whole of the UK to escape Brexit and the way to do that is for Scotland to become independent.

Gary Robertson points out that the second EU referendum could mean Brexit is cancelled which would cancel the material change indyref2 is predicated on.

The first minister does not accept that, citing the "contemptuous way" that Scotland has been treated as a material change.

The first minister begins by saying she is campaigning to win as many constituencies as possible.

Scotland can help to prevent Boris Johnson from getting a majority but you have to vote SNP to do that, adds Nicola Sturgeon.

Labour are not strong enough to beat the Tories or Lib Dems, she says.

Is a Tory majority a failure, asks BBC presenter Gary Robertson.

The first minister insists she does not want that and will work really hard to stop it.

"Tory governments do real damage to Scotland and, in my view, the UK."

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You can listen live to Gary Robertson interviewing First Minister Nicola Sturgeon here.

It's first up after the news.

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Good morning and welcome to the live page coverage of our final Call the Leader phone-in on Monday 9 December 2019.

SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon is being interviewed on BBC Good Morning Scotland first.

Then the SNP's leader at Westminster, Ian Blackford, takes voter questions from 09.00.

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