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Nicola Sturgeon has Brexit talks with Irish president Nicola Sturgeon: 'Project Farce has begun'
(35 minutes later)
Nicola Sturgeon is to hold talks with Irish president Michael D Higgins as she seeks to build bridges with EU countries following the Brexit vote. Nicola Sturgeon has accused Boris Johnson of being responsible for the start of "Project Farce" as the fallout continues from last week's Brexit vote.
Mr Higgins is on a three-day trip to Scotland, which will also see him address the Scottish Parliament. She was responding to Mr Johnson stating that "Project Fear was over" - a reference to the supposed "scare tactics" used by the Remain side.
Scotland voted by 62% to 38% to remain in the EU, while the UK as a whole voted to leave. Scotland voted to remain in the EU, but the UK as a whole voted to leave.
Ms Sturgeon has said she will do all she can to ensure Scotland remains in the EU.Ms Sturgeon has said she will do all she can to ensure Scotland remains in the EU.
On Friday, She said a second independence referendum was "highly likely" and at the weekend raised the possibility of the Scottish Parliament blocking the UK's departure from Europe if MSPs were required to give formal backing for Brexit. Speaking as he left his London home on Monday morning, Mr Johnson said: "It is clear now that Project Fear is over, there is not going to be an emergency budget, people's pensions are safe, the pound is stable, the markets are stable, I think that's all very good."
The first minister has also called for urgent talks with Brussels as she attempts to plot a way forward. Ms Sturgeon responded by tweeting: "Indeed, Boris. Project Farce has now begun - and you are largely responsible".
In other developments:In other developments:
The first minister is to hold talks with Irish president Michael D Higgins as she seeks to build bridges with EU countries following the referendum.
Mr Higgins is on a three-day trip to Scotland, which will also see him address the Scottish Parliament.
On Friday, Ms Sturgeon said a second independence referendum was "highly likely" and at the weekend raised the possibility of the Scottish Parliament blocking the UK's departure from Europe if MSPs were required to give formal backing for Brexit.
The first minister has also called for urgent talks with Brussels as she attempts to plot a way forward.
Three opinion polls carried out since Thursday's referendum have suggested that the result has boosted support for Scottish independence, with support put at 52%, 54% and 59%.Three opinion polls carried out since Thursday's referendum have suggested that the result has boosted support for Scottish independence, with support put at 52%, 54% and 59%.
David Mundell, the UK government's Scottish secretary, said "of course" there could be a second independence referendum, but he did not believe there should be one.David Mundell, the UK government's Scottish secretary, said "of course" there could be a second independence referendum, but he did not believe there should be one.
Speaking to the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme, Mr Mundell said the case for remaining in the UK was as "compelling" today as it had been in 2014.Speaking to the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme, Mr Mundell said the case for remaining in the UK was as "compelling" today as it had been in 2014.
But he sidestepped the question of whether Westminster would grant the powers for a second independence referendum to be held.But he sidestepped the question of whether Westminster would grant the powers for a second independence referendum to be held.
His Conservative colleague Dominic Raab has said that the UK government would not make a decision on granting a second independence referendum until the UK's exit from the EU was granted.His Conservative colleague Dominic Raab has said that the UK government would not make a decision on granting a second independence referendum until the UK's exit from the EU was granted.
And Boris Johnson, who led the Leave campaign and is favourite to become the next prime minister, has dismissed calls for a second independence referendum, claiming there was little "appetite" for one. And Mr Johnson, who led the Leave campaign and is favourite to replace David Cameron as prime minister, has claimed there is a lack of appetite for another independence vote in Scotland.
Mr Mundell said: "I think it is very, very unhelpful that at this moment, where we do look to bring stability, that virtually the first thing that is mentioned by the first minister, before the ink had even dried on the declaration of the result of the EU referendum, is independence.Mr Mundell said: "I think it is very, very unhelpful that at this moment, where we do look to bring stability, that virtually the first thing that is mentioned by the first minister, before the ink had even dried on the declaration of the result of the EU referendum, is independence.
"I think a lot of people in Scotland will have taken a step back and think that this is just opportunism in terms of trying to exploit a situation of uncertainty to push the independence agenda."I think a lot of people in Scotland will have taken a step back and think that this is just opportunism in terms of trying to exploit a situation of uncertainty to push the independence agenda.
"Let us focus our efforts on getting the best deal for Scotland. I agree with the first minister if that is her desired outcome. Let's negotiate the best possible deal for Scotland in these circumstances, but let's not get bogged down in what is the most divisive issue in Scotland, an independence referendum.""Let us focus our efforts on getting the best deal for Scotland. I agree with the first minister if that is her desired outcome. Let's negotiate the best possible deal for Scotland in these circumstances, but let's not get bogged down in what is the most divisive issue in Scotland, an independence referendum."
Mr Mundell also said that the most recent opinion polls, which was published in the Daily Record on Monday morning, suggested that the majority of people polled did not want a second referendum - although 54% would back independence if a vote was held.Mr Mundell also said that the most recent opinion polls, which was published in the Daily Record on Monday morning, suggested that the majority of people polled did not want a second referendum - although 54% would back independence if a vote was held.
Former first minister Alex Salmond told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme that it was "right and proper" that Ms Sturgeon explored all of the options for protecting Scotland's interests.Former first minister Alex Salmond told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme that it was "right and proper" that Ms Sturgeon explored all of the options for protecting Scotland's interests.
And he said that "most of Scotland is getting behind the first minister as she charts Scotland's road ahead".And he said that "most of Scotland is getting behind the first minister as she charts Scotland's road ahead".
Mr Salmond added: "She has done it with a clarity and a persuasiveness that is totally lacking elsewhere in the political spectrum."Mr Salmond added: "She has done it with a clarity and a persuasiveness that is totally lacking elsewhere in the political spectrum."