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Scots and UK governments discuss Brexit Scots and UK governments discuss Brexit
(about 4 hours later)
The UK government's Europe minister is in Edinburgh for Brexit talks with the Scottish government.The UK government's Europe minister is in Edinburgh for Brexit talks with the Scottish government.
David Lidington will meet Scotland's external affairs secretary, Fiona Hyslop, and members of the first minister's Standing Council on Europe.David Lidington will meet Scotland's external affairs secretary, Fiona Hyslop, and members of the first minister's Standing Council on Europe.
Mr Lidington said he wanted to honour the promise to include the Scottish government in preparations for the Brexit negotiations.Mr Lidington said he wanted to honour the promise to include the Scottish government in preparations for the Brexit negotiations.
He is also scheduled to meet Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson. He also met Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson.
Ms Davidson said she had stressed the importance of the European single market to Scotland's economy, and the "over-riding priority" to retain access to it.
'Protecting trade'
She added: "We both agreed that it is vital for the voice of Scotland to be heard in these talks, and that the Scottish government should be involved at all stages of the negotiations.
"Protecting our trade with the European Union will boost our economy, sustain jobs and help to fund vital public services."
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has pledged to explore all of the options for safeguarding Scotland's place in Europe, and has raised the possibility of a second independence referendum.Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has pledged to explore all of the options for safeguarding Scotland's place in Europe, and has raised the possibility of a second independence referendum.
Scotland voted by 62% to 38% in favour of remaining in the EU in last month's referendum, but faces the prospect of having to leave after the UK as a whole voted in favour of Brexit,Scotland voted by 62% to 38% in favour of remaining in the EU in last month's referendum, but faces the prospect of having to leave after the UK as a whole voted in favour of Brexit,
Mr Lidington said he expected Wednesday's talks to be constructive, and that the meeting demonstrated the UK government's commitment to engaging with the Scottish government and getting their direct input on future negotiations over the UK's future relationship with the EU.Mr Lidington said he expected Wednesday's talks to be constructive, and that the meeting demonstrated the UK government's commitment to engaging with the Scottish government and getting their direct input on future negotiations over the UK's future relationship with the EU.
He said the talks were part of the groundwork being done ahead of a new prime minister taking office and setting out what the negotiating position of the UK should be.He said the talks were part of the groundwork being done ahead of a new prime minister taking office and setting out what the negotiating position of the UK should be.
He told BBC Scotland: "I want to understand today how the Scottish government wants to play this - what their priorities are, and to try and make sure they are fully consulted and understand what the opportunities are to participate in this process."He told BBC Scotland: "I want to understand today how the Scottish government wants to play this - what their priorities are, and to try and make sure they are fully consulted and understand what the opportunities are to participate in this process."
The talks will be held as MPs gather at Westminster for the first Scottish Questions since the UK voted to leave the EU, with the session expected to be dominated by the impact of the Brexit vote.The talks will be held as MPs gather at Westminster for the first Scottish Questions since the UK voted to leave the EU, with the session expected to be dominated by the impact of the Brexit vote.
It will also see the debut at the dispatch box of Labour MP Dave Anderson, who now speaks for the party on Scottish and Northern Irish matters, following the resignation of the shadow Scottish secretary Ian Murray.It will also see the debut at the dispatch box of Labour MP Dave Anderson, who now speaks for the party on Scottish and Northern Irish matters, following the resignation of the shadow Scottish secretary Ian Murray.
'Negotiating chip''Negotiating chip'
On Tuesday, Ms Sturgeon branded as "inhumane" the UK government's failure to guarantee the rights of EU citizens living in Scotland to remain following the Brexit vote.On Tuesday, Ms Sturgeon branded as "inhumane" the UK government's failure to guarantee the rights of EU citizens living in Scotland to remain following the Brexit vote.
She insisted that people from other countries who had come to the UK and made their lives here "shouldn't be used as a negotiating chip in a wider discussion with Europe".She insisted that people from other countries who had come to the UK and made their lives here "shouldn't be used as a negotiating chip in a wider discussion with Europe".
The first minister also held talks with Scotland's leading business organisations to hear their concerns about the impact of leaving the EU.The first minister also held talks with Scotland's leading business organisations to hear their concerns about the impact of leaving the EU.
She said: "I'm very keen to work with the business community to get a message out there across Scotland, the UK and Europe as a whole that Scotland remains open for business and we are a good place to do business."She said: "I'm very keen to work with the business community to get a message out there across Scotland, the UK and Europe as a whole that Scotland remains open for business and we are a good place to do business."