Nicola Sturgeon puts emphasis on British-Irish council as means to keep ties to EU
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon thinks the meeting of the British-Irish council today is crucial for her chance of keeping Scotland in the EU.
She will be in Cardiff this morning to discuss the impact of the Brexit vote with her counterparts from devolved assemblies.
Read more: May says Scotland should be "fully engaged" in Brexit talks
Sturgeon said, ahead of the meeting: "Scotland voted overwhelming to remain within the European Union and that democratic choice by the Scottish people – so important to our economy, society and culture – will guide us as we seek to maintain our relationship with the EU."
As I have consistently said, we will explore all options to ensure that relationship is protected, and the new Prime Minister gave me an undertaking when we met in Edinburgh last Friday that she is willing to consider the options we put forward.
"As such, this is one of the most important ever meetings of the British-Irish Council. I will fully discuss with colleagues the implications of the referendum result, the range of options available to us and how we can shape the negotiation process so it is reflective of everyone’s circumstances."
Read more: The leaders of France and Spain have slammed Scotland's hopes of negotiating directly with the EU
Sturgeon has previously said that she would consider Scotland being taken out of the EU against its will a justifiable trigger for a second independence referendum.
In the weeks following the EU referendum she flew out to Brussels to meet with leading politicians to discuss how to maintain Scotland's membership, despite the UK's impending withdrawal.
The Prime Minister has said that she won't trigger Article 50 until a UK-wide approach is agreed.