Nicola Sturgeon to discuss ‘Scotland’s place’ in EU with Theresa May

Nicola Sturgeon will demand a central role in the UK’s Brexit negotiations with the purpose of keeping Scotland in the EU during her first meeting with new prime minister Theresa May.

The Scottish first minister said she would approach the negotiations with “an open mind” and put “all options on the table”. But she confirmed a second Scottish independence referendum is on the table – and relegated any option short of full EU membership to “second-, third- or fourth-best”.

She told BBC News her first priority is “to make sure that Scotland’s place in Europe is close to the top of the busy agenda that [Ms May] now takes over”.

She added: “We will want to get a very firm assurance from Theresa May that Scotland and the Scottish government will be centrally involved in the process that will now take shape.

“But also that we will be able to be involved for a purpose – and that purpose will be to enable different options of allowing how Scotland voted to be given effect to be examined.”

Ms Sturgeon said she does not underestimate the difficulties of keeping Scotland in the EU, after voters in Scotland who backed remaining in the EU were outvoted by those in England and Wales.

She was asked if she would be comfortable with a deal that gave the UK access to the single market with restrictions on freedom of movement. She said: “Obviously we have to wait and see how these discussions take shape, but my starting point of principle is Scotland voted to stay in the EU. “Scotland can remain in the EU after the UK leaves, she said. – (PA)