This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-36800536

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Theresa May and Nicola Sturgeon meet for Brexit talks Theresa May and Nicola Sturgeon meet for Brexit talks
(35 minutes later)
Prime Minister Theresa May has arrived in Edinburgh for talks with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on the future of the EU and the union. Prime Minister Theresa May has held talks with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in Edinburgh on the future of the EU and the union.
The first minister greeted Mrs May on the steps of her official residence, Bute House, ahead of the meeting. Mrs May left the first minister's official residence, Bute House, after about 45 minutes, following a meeting she described as "positive".
Ms Sturgeon said she wanted to discuss options to protect Scottish interests, which she believes have been put "at risk" by the UK's vote to leave the EU. She said the Scottish government should be "fully engaged" in Brexit talks.
Mrs May said her message was that the UK government was on the side of Scots. Ms Sturgeon believes Scottish interests have been put "at risk" by the UK's vote to leave the EU.
Speaking before her visit, the PM vowed to fully engage with the Scottish government on Brexit negotiations. The Scottish government is seeking a separate deal on relations with the EU after the Brexit vote.
'Special union' Speaking after the meeting, the prime minister said: "I'm willing to listen to options and I've been very clear with the first minister today that I want the Scottish government to be fully engaged in our discussion.
She said: "This visit to Scotland is my first as prime minister and I'm coming here to show my commitment to preserving this special union that has endured for centuries. "I have already said that I won't be triggering Article 50 until I think that we have a UK approach and objectives for negotiations - I think it is important that we establish that before we trigger Article 50."
"And I want to say something else to the people of Scotland too: the government I lead will always be on your side. Earlier, she said her visit to Scotland demonstrated her commitment to "preserving this special union that has endured for centuries".
She added: "And I want to say something else to the people of Scotland too: the government I lead will always be on your side.
"Every decision we take, every policy we take forward, we will stand up for you and your family - not the rich, the mighty or the powerful."Every decision we take, every policy we take forward, we will stand up for you and your family - not the rich, the mighty or the powerful.
"That's because I believe in a union, not just between the nations of the United Kingdom, but between all of our citizens.""That's because I believe in a union, not just between the nations of the United Kingdom, but between all of our citizens."
Speaking on BBC Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme, Scottish Secretary David Mundell described the idea of Scotland remaining within the UK at the same time as remaining in the EU as "fanciful".Speaking on BBC Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme, Scottish Secretary David Mundell described the idea of Scotland remaining within the UK at the same time as remaining in the EU as "fanciful".
He told the programme: "I certainly don't think it's possible for Scotland to remain within the EU and the rest of the UK to be outwith the EU. I think that is fanciful."He told the programme: "I certainly don't think it's possible for Scotland to remain within the EU and the rest of the UK to be outwith the EU. I think that is fanciful."
Mr Mundell said he believed both Nicola Sturgeon and Theresa May would have a "constructive" relationship and their collective aim would be to get the best deal for Scotland and the UK in the EU negotiations.Mr Mundell said he believed both Nicola Sturgeon and Theresa May would have a "constructive" relationship and their collective aim would be to get the best deal for Scotland and the UK in the EU negotiations.
However, he warned: "Of course it's not going to be doable on a basis that satisfies Nicola Sturgeon's ultimate aim of making Scotland an independent country.However, he warned: "Of course it's not going to be doable on a basis that satisfies Nicola Sturgeon's ultimate aim of making Scotland an independent country.
"Theresa May doesn't agree with Scotland being an independent country, I don't agree and two million people in Scotland who voted in our own referendum don't agree with that. So we're not going to be in agreement with that and we're not going to be in agreement with the idea that there should be another independence referendum.""Theresa May doesn't agree with Scotland being an independent country, I don't agree and two million people in Scotland who voted in our own referendum don't agree with that. So we're not going to be in agreement with that and we're not going to be in agreement with the idea that there should be another independence referendum."
Also speaking on the programme, the SNP MP Stephen Gethins, who is the party's spokesman on Europe, said he would like to see an acknowledgement from Westminster that Scotland voted differently from the UK referendum result.Also speaking on the programme, the SNP MP Stephen Gethins, who is the party's spokesman on Europe, said he would like to see an acknowledgement from Westminster that Scotland voted differently from the UK referendum result.
He said: "We can find innovative political solutions to this if only the Westminster government are willing to listen."He said: "We can find innovative political solutions to this if only the Westminster government are willing to listen."
He added: "You can find a solution whereby Scotland remains in the European Union within the United Kingdom, there are ways you can do that.He added: "You can find a solution whereby Scotland remains in the European Union within the United Kingdom, there are ways you can do that.
"Independence is also an option, but that's only one of a number of options that are being considered. But if you look at the way the European Union and the United Kingdom have found solutions over the past 40 years, I'd been very surprised if the political will is there, that they can't find a solution to this particular impasse at the moment.""Independence is also an option, but that's only one of a number of options that are being considered. But if you look at the way the European Union and the United Kingdom have found solutions over the past 40 years, I'd been very surprised if the political will is there, that they can't find a solution to this particular impasse at the moment."
'Protect and defend''Protect and defend'
The Scottish government is seeking a separate deal on relations with the EU after the Brexit vote.
Speaking to Reporting Scotland on Thursday, Ms Sturgeon said she hoped she would encounter a prime minister who was "open-minded and constructive" about the options for Scotland.Speaking to Reporting Scotland on Thursday, Ms Sturgeon said she hoped she would encounter a prime minister who was "open-minded and constructive" about the options for Scotland.
The first minister said she wanted to find ways to protect areas including trade, university research, the rights of workers and influence on global policy such as climate change.The first minister said she wanted to find ways to protect areas including trade, university research, the rights of workers and influence on global policy such as climate change.
She added: "For those who still believe in the UK I think the onus is on them to prove it can still protect and defend Scotland's interests.She added: "For those who still believe in the UK I think the onus is on them to prove it can still protect and defend Scotland's interests.
"Now, I am determined to find the best ways of protecting Scotland's interests and I'm prepared to work to see if we can find options within the UK context and the UK process that will now take place to do that."Now, I am determined to find the best ways of protecting Scotland's interests and I'm prepared to work to see if we can find options within the UK context and the UK process that will now take place to do that.
"I've been very open that it may well be that if we want to protect those interests the best or the only option will be to consider whether we want to become an independent country."I've been very open that it may well be that if we want to protect those interests the best or the only option will be to consider whether we want to become an independent country.
"That's a decision that Scotland would have to take if we get there, but I'm open to examining all options."."That's a decision that Scotland would have to take if we get there, but I'm open to examining all options.".
The trip is Mrs May's first official visit as prime minister and comes two days after she was formally appointed by the Queen.The trip is Mrs May's first official visit as prime minister and comes two days after she was formally appointed by the Queen.