THERESA May has brushed aside Nicola Sturgeon's claim her legacy as Prime Minister will be the end of the Union.

Speaking as the Tory leader heads north for what will likely be her last official trip before leaving Downing Street, the First Minister said May had destroyed the claim that the UK was a partnership of equals.

The outgoing Prime Minister is due to use her visit here to launch a probe into the relationship between Whitehall and the devolved administrations.

The review, which will be led by Tory peer and former Scotland Office minister, Andrew Dunlop, will “consider whether the UK Government structures are configured in such a way as to strengthen the workings of the Union, and to recommend changes where appropriate".

READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon: Theresa May's legacy is Scottish independence

Sturgeon also hit out at the "high-handed, arrogant and dismissive" attitude of the Conservatives over Brexit, which she claimed had shattered any illusion that the Union was a partnership of equals.

In response, the PM’s spokesman said: “Strengthening the Union has been an explicit priority for this UK Government. Today, the PM will set out how she is confident her successor will continue to make the Union their priority because as a union of nations and people we can achieve more together than we ever could apart.

“We will continue to stand up for the views of the majority of people in Scotland, who do not want another divisive independence vote.”

Asked if May, therefore, believed the Union was safe, he replied: “We held a referendum, which delivered a decisive verdict and the PM believes strongly and passionately that as a union of nations and people we can continue to achieve more together than we ever could apart.”

In her speech, the Prime Minister is expected to say: “I am confident that whoever succeeds me in 10 Downing Street will make the Union their priority.

“He will be building on work done over the last three years, during which time strengthening the union has become an explicit priority of government.

“The job of prime minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland brings with it privileges and responsibilities which you only really feel once the black door closes behind you.

“One of the first and greatest is the duty you owe to strengthen the Union.

“To govern on behalf of the whole United Kingdom, to respect the identities of every citizen of the UK – English and Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish.

“And to ensure that we can go on facing the future together, overcoming obstacles together, and achieving more together than we ever could apart – a union of nations and people.”