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Sturgeon sets up expert group to advise her following Brexit vote Sturgeon sets up expert group to advise her following Brexit vote
(35 minutes later)
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has set up a "standing council" of experts to provide her with advice following the Brexit vote.Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has set up a "standing council" of experts to provide her with advice following the Brexit vote.
She was speaking at Holyrood after last week's UK referendum resulted in voters backing to leave the EU by 52% to 48%.She was speaking at Holyrood after last week's UK referendum resulted in voters backing to leave the EU by 52% to 48%.
Electors in Scotland, Northern Ireland and London voted to remain in the EU.Electors in Scotland, Northern Ireland and London voted to remain in the EU.
Ms Sturgeon, who will travel to Brussels on Wednesday for talks, said she was "utterly determined" to protect Scotland's relationship with Europe.Ms Sturgeon, who will travel to Brussels on Wednesday for talks, said she was "utterly determined" to protect Scotland's relationship with Europe.
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.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.
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.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.
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."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."
'Priority to secure jobs''Priority to secure jobs'
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.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.
However, Scottish Conservative leader and Remain supporter Ruth Davidson fired a warning over a second independence vote.However, Scottish Conservative leader and Remain supporter Ruth Davidson fired a warning over a second independence vote.
She said: "You don't dampen the shockwaves from one referendum by lighting the fuse for another."She said: "You don't dampen the shockwaves from one referendum by lighting the fuse for another."
Ms Davidson also said that the Brexit vote was a "defining moment" in "our country's story".Ms Davidson also said that the Brexit vote was a "defining moment" in "our country's story".
Her speech included a message to EU migrants;. She said: "This is your home, we don't just need your labour, we want your brains, values, culture - we want you."Her speech included a message to EU migrants;. She said: "This is your home, we don't just need your labour, we want your brains, values, culture - we want you."
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".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".
She insisted that the priority "must be" to secure jobs and the rights of workers.She insisted that the priority "must be" to secure jobs and the rights of workers.
Patrick Harvie, co-convener of the pro-independence Scottish Greens, backed early preparations for another independence referendum.
He told the chamber: "It may be that after exploring all options far more people than voted Yes in 2014 may conclude that independence is the only way to achieve it.
"The 2014 [independence referendum] result is now fundamentally superseded."
'Is it a cunning plan?'
Ms Sturgeon is expected to win cross-party support from the emergency debate which followed her statement.
On Wednesday, the first minister will travel to Brussels to meet European Parliament President Martin Shulz. However, there is no planned get-together with Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission.
The leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrat Party, Willie Rennie, said he welcomed Ms Sturgeon "reaching out" to other parties.
However, he cautioned: "I immediately agreed to participate as long as it is not a cunning plan to deliver independence.
"I want to explore options; whether it is reverse Greenland; working with London, Northern Ireland, Gibraltar or some other arrangement.
"But we need to fully understand before we move ahead. And rushing head long to independence will undermine those efforts."