Nicola Sturgeon: Scottish Parliament could veto Brexit

First Minister's comments come after Scotland votes 62% in favour of Remain

Nicola Sturgeon has appeared to suggest the Scottish Parliament could effectively block the UK’s exit from the European Union.

It comes after Scotland voted by 62 per cent to Remain in the European Union while Britain, as a whole, voted by 52 per cent to 48 per cent to leave Europe.

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The SNP's manifesto for May's Holyrood election said the Scottish Parliament should have the right to hold another vote on independence if there is a "significant and material" change in the circumstances from 2014, when the previous vote was held.

Ms Sturgeon told the BBC’s Sunday Politics: "The issue you are talking about is would there have to be a legislative consent motion or motions 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."

Asked whether she would consider asking the Scottish Parliament not to back such a motion, she replied: “Of course.”

“Can you imagine the fury of the British people if you stopped them leaving Europe?” asked the presenter. Ms Sturgeon replied: “I can, but it’s perhaps similar to the fury of many of the people in Scotland right now as we face the prospect of being taken out of the European Union against our will. I didn’t create these situations – I’ve got to try to navigate the best way through them."

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