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Brexit: Holyrood to hold emergency debate on EU Brexit: Holyrood to hold emergency debate on EU
(about 1 hour later)
Nicola Sturgeon is to ask the Scottish Parliament to formally back her efforts to protect Scotland's place in the EU.Nicola Sturgeon is to ask the Scottish Parliament to formally back her efforts to protect Scotland's place in the EU.
In an emergency debate at Holyrood she will call on MSPs to support talks with officials from the UK, EU and other member states.In an emergency debate at Holyrood she will call on MSPs to support talks with officials from the UK, EU and other member states.
Labour, the Liberal Democrats and Scottish Greens have already said they will fully back Ms Sturgeon's motion.Labour, the Liberal Democrats and Scottish Greens have already said they will fully back Ms Sturgeon's motion.
But it is understood the Scottish Conservatives will attempt to amend it.But it is understood the Scottish Conservatives will attempt to amend it.
There will be full live coverage of the debate on our Holyrood Live page from about 14:00.
Speaking ahead of the debate, Tory leader Ruth Davidson cautioned the SNP against using any negotiations to further their aim of independence.Speaking ahead of the debate, Tory leader Ruth Davidson cautioned the SNP against using any negotiations to further their aim of independence.
'Economic shock''Economic shock'
She told BBC Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme: "Within three and a half hours of the vote being announced, Nicola Sturgeon made a speech from Bute House where she said she had already instructed government officials to start drafting legislation for a second independence referendum.She told BBC Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme: "Within three and a half hours of the vote being announced, Nicola Sturgeon made a speech from Bute House where she said she had already instructed government officials to start drafting legislation for a second independence referendum.
"Now we think that was premature. We think there are lots of unanswered questions. We absolutely support the Scottish government being part of the UK negotiating team, being integral in that team. I have spoken to the prime minister myself to make sure that Scotland's voice is heard in that process."Now we think that was premature. We think there are lots of unanswered questions. We absolutely support the Scottish government being part of the UK negotiating team, being integral in that team. I have spoken to the prime minister myself to make sure that Scotland's voice is heard in that process.
"But if we're talking about protecting Scotland's right to market, if we're talking about Scotland's economy, if you think you've seen an economic shock in the last four-five days to Scotland's economy, taking us out of the UK - which is a far bigger market than us, more than four times as much - would be four times the shock to the Scottish economy.""But if we're talking about protecting Scotland's right to market, if we're talking about Scotland's economy, if you think you've seen an economic shock in the last four-five days to Scotland's economy, taking us out of the UK - which is a far bigger market than us, more than four times as much - would be four times the shock to the Scottish economy."
Ms Sturgeon has said it would be "democratically unacceptable" for Scotland to face the prospect of being taken out of the European Union against the wishes of its people.Ms Sturgeon has said it would be "democratically unacceptable" for Scotland to face the prospect of being taken out of the European Union against the wishes of its people.
And she has said a second referendum on Scottish independence is now "highly likely".And she has said a second referendum on Scottish independence is now "highly likely".
Scotland's Farming minister Fergus Ewing told the programme earlier that a second independence vote could be the only way to stop Scotland leaving the EU.Scotland's Farming minister Fergus Ewing told the programme earlier that a second independence vote could be the only way to stop Scotland leaving the EU.
He said: "We are paving the way for it and we are paving the way so that we are able to have that referendum within the period of the negotiations - the 'terminus a quo' of the two years - we do not know, but we are paving the way so that we can have that because that could be the only mechanism that exists in order to prevent being forced out of the EU against our will."He said: "We are paving the way for it and we are paving the way so that we are able to have that referendum within the period of the negotiations - the 'terminus a quo' of the two years - we do not know, but we are paving the way so that we can have that because that could be the only mechanism that exists in order to prevent being forced out of the EU against our will."
Analysis from Professor John Curtice, Strathclyde UniversityAnalysis from Professor John Curtice, Strathclyde University
Will those who voted No to independence in September 2014 agree with the SNP that it is "undemocratic" for Scotland to be forced out of the EU as a result of votes cast in England and Wales?Will those who voted No to independence in September 2014 agree with the SNP that it is "undemocratic" for Scotland to be forced out of the EU as a result of votes cast in England and Wales?
Or will they take the view that, as an integral part of the UK, the country should accept the UK-wide majority verdict?Or will they take the view that, as an integral part of the UK, the country should accept the UK-wide majority verdict?
Three polls published on Sunday and Monday give us an initial answer to these questions. All three report that there is now a majority in Scotland in favour of independence.Three polls published on Sunday and Monday give us an initial answer to these questions. All three report that there is now a majority in Scotland in favour of independence.
However, the majority may only be a narrow one, suggesting that Nicola Sturgeon could be taking quite a gamble if she does opt to hold a second ballot soon.However, the majority may only be a narrow one, suggesting that Nicola Sturgeon could be taking quite a gamble if she does opt to hold a second ballot soon.
Read more from Prof Curtice here.Read more from Prof Curtice here.
Scotland voted by 62% to 38% in favour of remaining in the EU in last week's referendum, but the UK as a whole voted to leave.Scotland voted by 62% to 38% in favour of remaining in the EU in last week's referendum, but the UK as a whole voted to leave.
The first minister described Tuesday afternoon's debate on the result as being one of the most important in the history of the Scottish Parliament.The first minister described Tuesday afternoon's debate on the result as being one of the most important in the history of the Scottish Parliament.
She added: "I am determined to explore every avenue to retain Scotland's EU status and today's parliamentary debate is a vital part of that process.She added: "I am determined to explore every avenue to retain Scotland's EU status and today's parliamentary debate is a vital part of that process.
"I am specifically asking parliament to strengthen my hand by giving me a mandate to pursue discussions about protecting Scotland's place in the EU with the UK government, other devolved administrations, EU institutions and member states."I am specifically asking parliament to strengthen my hand by giving me a mandate to pursue discussions about protecting Scotland's place in the EU with the UK government, other devolved administrations, EU institutions and member states.
"It is now crucial that our national parliament speaks with as strong and united a voice as possible on this issue.""It is now crucial that our national parliament speaks with as strong and united a voice as possible on this issue."
Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said: "Labour will support this motion and we back the first minister's efforts to protect Scotland's relationship with the European Union.Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said: "Labour will support this motion and we back the first minister's efforts to protect Scotland's relationship with the European Union.
"The decision to leave the EU will cause untold damage to Scotland's economy and standing in the world."The decision to leave the EU will cause untold damage to Scotland's economy and standing in the world.
"Every possible avenue must be explored to not just mitigate the impact of Brexit, but to strengthen our ties with our European neighbours. The protection of jobs and workers' rights must be the priority.""Every possible avenue must be explored to not just mitigate the impact of Brexit, but to strengthen our ties with our European neighbours. The protection of jobs and workers' rights must be the priority."
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: "On Friday I committed my party to supporting Nicola Sturgeon's special EU negotiation process as there is a strong need for cross-party support, therefore we will support the motion tomorrow."Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: "On Friday I committed my party to supporting Nicola Sturgeon's special EU negotiation process as there is a strong need for cross-party support, therefore we will support the motion tomorrow."