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Brexit: Nicola Sturgeon says second Scottish independence vote 'highly likely' Brexit: Nicola Sturgeon says second Scottish independence vote 'highly likely'
(35 minutes later)
Scotland's first minister has said a second independence referendum is "highly likely" after the UK voted to leave the EU.Scotland's first minister has said a second independence referendum is "highly likely" after the UK voted to leave the EU.
Nicola Sturgeon said it was "democratically unacceptable" that Scotland faced the prospect of being taken out of the EU against its will.Nicola Sturgeon said it was "democratically unacceptable" that Scotland faced the prospect of being taken out of the EU against its will.
She said the Scottish government would begin preparing legislation to enable another independence vote.She said the Scottish government would begin preparing legislation to enable another independence vote.
Scotland voted in favour of the UK staying in the EU by 62% to 38%.Scotland voted in favour of the UK staying in the EU by 62% to 38%.
The UK as a whole has voted to leave, by a margin of 52% to 48%, prompting David Cameron to announce he would stand down as prime minister by October. The UK as a whole has voted to leave, by a margin of 52% to 48%, prompting UK Prime Minister David Cameron to announce he would stand down by October.
At a news conference at Bute House, Ms Sturgeon said the UK vote would lead to a "significant and material change" to the UK constitution. At a news conference in Edinburgh, Ms Sturgeon said the SNP manifesto for May's Holyrood elections said the Scottish Parliament "should have the right to hold another referendum if there is a significant and material change in the circumstances that prevailed in 2014, such as Scotland being taken out of the EU against our will".
The SNP manifesto for the Scottish Parliament election in May laid down that condition for a second independence vote. "It is, therefore, a statement of the obvious that a second referendum must be on the table, and it is on the table," she said.
The first minister said that option was now "on the table". The Scottish cabinet will meet on Saturday to discuss its next steps.
She said many people who voted against independence in 2014 would now be reassessing their decision. Ms Sturgeon said there was a significant divergence between Scotland and the rest of Britain which she "deeply regretted".
Ms Sturgeon said there was a significant divergence between Scotland and the rest of Britain which she deeply regretted. A majority of voters in all 32 council areas in Scotland voted Remain
She said her priority was to reassure the people of Scotland about their immediate future and she would explore all options to secure Scotland's place in the European Union. Area-by-area in maps: See how people voted
Ms Sturgeon said her priority was to reassure the people of Scotland about their immediate future and she would explore all options to secure Scotland's place in the European Union.
Speaking at her official residence, Bute House, she said: "I intend to take all possible steps and explore all possible options to give effect to how people in Scotland voted - in other words to secure our continuing place in the EU, and in the single market in particular."
Asked if there were any other options available to the Scottish government, she replied: "I think an independence referendum is now highly likely but I also think it is important that we take time to consider all steps and have the discussions, not least to assess the response of the European Union to the vote that Scotland expressed yesterday."
Ms Sturgeon said: "After a campaign that has been characterised in the rest of the UK by fear and hate, my priority in the days, weeks and months ahead will be to act at all times in the best interests of Scotland and in a way that unites, not divides us.
"Let me be clear about this. Whatever happens as a result of this outcome, England, Wales and Northern Ireland will always be Scotland's closest neighbours and our best friends - nothing will change that.
"But I want to leave no-one in any doubt about this. I am proud of Scotland and how we voted yesterday.
"We proved that we are a modern, outward looking and inclusive country and we said clearly that we do not want to leave the European Union
"I am determine to do what it takes to make sure these aspirations are realised."