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Sturgeon seeks immediate EU talks 'to protect Scotland's place' in bloc

Scotland seeks another independence vote, wants to stay with EU.

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 Saturday.

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 first minister's call comes as the Scottish government prepares to present legislation allowing a second independence referendum while continuing discussions on its place within the EU.


"A second (Scottish) independence referendum is clearly an option that requires to be on the table, and it is very much on the table," Sturgeon said on Saturday.

"To ensure that that option is a deliverable one in the required timetable, steps will be taken now to ensure that the necessary legislation is in place," she added.

Scotland voted 62 to 38 per cent to remain in the EU in a referendum on Thursday, sharply contrasting with Britain's overall 52-48 per cent vote to leave.

That result could be justification for another independence vote, the Scottish government argues.

Scottish independence from the United Kingdom was rejected by 55-45 per cent in 2014.