Theresa May says Scotland should be “fully engaged” in Brexit talks following meeting with Nicola Sturgeon
Prime Minister Theresa May has said Scotland should be "fully engaged" in Brexit talks and that she won't trigger Article 50 until a UK-wide approach is agreed.
After meeting at with Nicola Sturgeon at the first minister's official residence, May left stating the talks had been positive, as she reassured Scotland its interests would be taken into account as part of a wider UK position.
The Prime Minister said: "I'm willing to listen to options and I've been very clear with the first minister today that I want the Scottish government to be fully engaged in our discussion.
"I have already said that I won't be triggering Article 50 until I think that we have a UK approach and objectives for negotiations – I think it is important that we establish that before we trigger Article 50."
Read more: May heads to Scotland for Brexit talks with Sturgeon
The Scottish National Party said that the decision by May to make Edinburgh the first official visit an "encouraging sign".
For her part, May had said that her visit demonstrated the commitment she has to the union.
"And I want to say something else to the people of Scotland too: the government I lead will always be on your side," she added.
"Every decision we take, every policy we take forward, we will stand up for you and your family – not the rich, the mighty or the powerful.
"That's because I believe in a union, not just between the nations of the United Kingdom, but between all of our citizens."
Read more: The leaders of France and Spain have slammed Scotland's hopes of negotiating directly with the EU
Sturgeon has voiced concerns that Scottish interests have been put at risk as the country voted overwhelmingly in favour of continued EU membership.
She had previously stated that Scotland being taken out of the EU against its will – that is, if Scotland voted Remain but the UK as a whole voted Leave – it would be taken as a "trigger" that could justify a second independence referendum.
However, while Sturgeon has not ruled out a second referendum for independence in order to remain a member of the EU, she has said that she hopes to explore alternatives.