Sturgeon pledges to 'protect' Scottish EU interests

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says she will seek "immediate discussions" with Brussels to "protect Scotland's place in the EU" after UK's vote to leave.

She was speaking after a meeting of the Scottish cabinet at her official residence, Bute House in Edinburgh.

Thursday's referendum saw Scotland, London and Northern Ireland vote in favour of Remain - while England and Wales backed Brexit.

Sturgeon has said a new independence referendum is "highly likely".

The cabinet formally agreed to begin work to legislate for a second independence vote, so that the option is "deliverable", while an expert advisory group is to be set up to study what else could be done.

Sturgeon said: "Most of our discussions this morning centred on what we can do in the here and now and in the negotiations that lie ahead to protect Scotland's relationship with the European Union and our place in the single market.

"Cabinet agreed that we will seek to enter into immediate discussions with the EU institutions and other EU member states to explore all possible options to protect Scotland's place in the EU."

Scottish voters backed the UK staying in the EU by 62% to 38%, contrary to the UK-wide result of 52% choosing Brexit.

Sturgeon said her cabinet had expressed "pride" at the "emphatic vote" from across Scotland to remain, saying a majority of Scots clearly felt "deep disappointment" at the overall result.

She said: "We are determined to act decisively, but in a way that builds unity across Scotland about the way forward.

"We are determined to draw on as much support and advice from across Scotland as possible."

'Valued contribution'

The first minister also stressed that citizens of other EU countries were still welcome in Scotland, and has invited the consuls general of all EU member states to a summit at Bute House to discuss "how clearly we value the contribution they make".

She said: "Scotland is, and will continue to be, an attractive and stable place to do business.

"One particular group we are anxious to reassure is the community of EU citizens living here in Scotland. People from other EU countries who have done us the honour of choosing to make Scotland their home are welcome here.

"I want to make sure that is a message we get across strongly in the weeks and months ahead."