Edinburgh : Scotland wants immediate talks with the European Union on protecting its place in the bloc, after Britain's vote to leave the EU, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said today.
Speaking after an emergency meeting of her cabinet, Sturgeon said it had agreed to seek "immediate discussions with the EU institutions and other EU member states to explore all possible options to protect Scotland's place in the EU."
The UK as a whole voted by 52 percent to 48 percent to leave the EU in Thursday's historic referendum. But Scotland voted strongly for Britain to remain -- by 62 percent to 38 percent.
On Friday, Sturgeon said the results put a fresh referendum on Scottish independence "on the table", adding that it was "highly likely" within two years.
She cited a clause in her Scottish National Party manifesto that there had been a "significant and material change in the circumstances" in which Scotland voted against independence in 2014, when 55 percent of Scots voted to stay in the UK.
Today, Sturgeon reiterated her plans.
"As I said yesterday, a second independence referendum is clearly an option that requires to be on the table and is very much on the table," she said.
"To ensure that that option is a deliverable one within the required timetable, steps will be taken now to ensure that the necessary legislation is in place. Cabinet this morning formally agreed that work."
Speaking after an emergency meeting of her cabinet, Sturgeon said it had agreed to seek "immediate discussions with the EU institutions and other EU member states to explore all possible options to protect Scotland's place in the EU."
The UK as a whole voted by 52 percent to 48 percent to leave the EU in Thursday's historic referendum. But Scotland voted strongly for Britain to remain -- by 62 percent to 38 percent.
She cited a clause in her Scottish National Party manifesto that there had been a "significant and material change in the circumstances" in which Scotland voted against independence in 2014, when 55 percent of Scots voted to stay in the UK.
Advertisement
"As I said yesterday, a second independence referendum is clearly an option that requires to be on the table and is very much on the table," she said.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Nigel Farage: Brexit Firebrand Who Announced Eighth Bid To Become UK MP In Blow To Rishi Sunak, Brexit Champion Nigel Farage Announces UK Election Candidacy An Election Candidate In UK Was Dismissed. Turns Out He Was Dead Under-Fire Trainee IAS Officer Accuses Pune Collector Of Harassment "No Defamatory Remarks Against Governor": High Court To Mamata Banerjee Trainee IAS Officer Puja Khedkar Recalled To Academy, Training Put On Hold Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Launched In India; Prices Start At Rs. 2.39 Lakh Admission Deadline Extended For EWS And Special Needs Children UGC Launches Project To Develop 22,000 Books In Indian Languages Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.