Sturgeon heading to Brussels for talks with European Parliament president
Sturgeon sets up expert group to advise her following Brexit vote
(about 1 hour later)
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will travel to Brussels on Wednesday to meet European Parliament President Martin Shulz.
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has set up a "standing council" of experts to provide her with advice following the Brexit vote.
Ahead of that meeting she will urge MSPs at Holyrood to back her bid to protect Scotland's place in Europe.
She was speaking at Holyrood after last week's UK referendum resulted in voters backing to leave the EU by 52% to 48%.
Last week's referendum saw the UK vote by 52% to 48% to leave the EU while Scotland voted by 62% to 38% to stay.
Electors in Scotland, Northern Ireland and London voted to remain in the EU.
Ms Sturgeon's visit will not involve meeting Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission.
Ms Sturgeon, who will travel to Brussels on Wednesday for talks, said she was "utterly determined" to protect Scotland's relationship with Europe.
She hopes to see him at a later date.
She told MSPs that it was time to set out and evaluate "all the impacts" of the referendum result and look at "all of the options" open to Scotland to secure its relationship with the EU.
In an emergency debate at Holyrood on Tuesday afternoon, Labour, the Liberal Democrats and Scottish Greens have pledged to back Ms Sturgeon's motion.
Scotland's leader said the expert council would be chaired by Professor Anton Muscatelli, Glasgow University's principal and vice chancellor, and would have 17 members, including politicians, economists and constitutional experts.
But it is understood the Scottish Conservatives will attempt to amend it.
Ms Sturgeon explained: "Members will consider the impact of proposed changes to the UK's relationship with the EU on Scottish interests and advise ministers throughout our negotiations on the best way to secure Scottish interests and objectives."
Speaking ahead of the debate, Tory leader Ruth Davidson cautioned the SNP against using any negotiations to further their aim of independence.
'Priority to secure jobs'
She told BBC Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme that moves to have a second independence referendum was "premature" as there were a lot of unanswered questions.
The SNP leader also said that while she was not seeking endorsement to hold a second independence referendum "today", she would put the option forward if it emerged as the only or best way to protect Scotland's place in the EU.
Ms Davidson added: "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.
However, Scottish Conservative leader and Remain supporter Ruth Davidson fired a warning over a second independence vote.
"But if we're talking about protecting Scotland's right to the market, if we're talking about Scotland's economy, if you think you've seen an economic shock in the last four to 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."
She said: "You don't dampen the shockwaves from one referendum by lighting the fuse for another."
Ms Sturgeon 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 Davidson also said that the Brexit vote was a "defining moment" in "our country's story".
And she has said a second referendum on Scottish independence was now "highly likely".
Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale told the chamber that her party would support the government's efforts to "not only mitigate the worst of Brexit, but to strengthen Scotland's ties with our European neighbours and allies".
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.
She insisted that the priority "must be" to secure jobs and the rights of workers.
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 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?
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.
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
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.
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.
"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.
"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."
'Free movement is vital'
The Scottish Green Party is expected to support the Scottish government motion too.
Ahead of the debate, its co-convener Patrick Harvie said: "The message from the overwhelming majority of Scotland's people and its parliament must be made clear - we are a welcoming nation and deeply value citizens of other countries living here.
"The right to free movement is vital to the success of our nation, and we utterly reject the intolerant attitude of many Leave campaigners."
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."
