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27th Jun 2016

Scotland could block Brexit, says First Minister Nicola Sturgeon

Emma lahiffe

In an interview with the BBC’s Sunday Politics Scotland, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said that the Scottish Parliament could try to block the UK’s exit from the EU.

The first minister said if the Scottish Parliament has to give its consent, she would ‘of course’ consider asking MSPs not to do this.

In Scotland every single local authority voted to stay in the EU, with the Remain side receiving 62 per cent of the Scottish vote.

This is in stark contrast to the overall results of the referendum which saw 52 per cent opting to leave the EU.

Ms Sturgeon said:

“The issue you’re talking about is whether there would require to be a legislative consent motion, or motions in the Scottish Parliament for the legislation that extricates the UK from the European Union.

“Looking at it from a logical perspective I find it hard to believe that there wouldn’t be that requirement, I suspect the UK Government will take a very different view on that and we’ll have to see where that discussion ends up.”

Sturgeon’s strong leadership in the wake of the vote is receiving widespread support on Twitter:

This afternoon will see Nicola Sturgeon welcoming President Michael D. Higgins to Edinburgh.

The president and his wife, Sabina Higgins, are on a four-day visit to Scotland.

Topics:

Brexit,Scotland