The Scottish government will draw up legislation to allow a second independence referendum to be held, first minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed.
While the UK as a whole voted to leave the European Union, Scots overwhelmingly opted to remain, with Ms Sturgeon declaring the result meant there had been a "significant and material change in the circumstances in which Scotland voted against independence" in 2014.
She said: “As things stand, Scotland faces the prospect of being taken out of the EU against our will. I regard that as democratically unacceptable.”
Ms Sturgeon said it is highly likely another vote would be held, adding she would do what was necessary to secure the country’s place in the European Union.
“It is a statement of the obvious that the option of a second referendum must be on the table and it is on the table,“ she told reporter” she said.
“I think an independence referendum is now highly likely.”
Scotland, which held its previous independence referendum in 2014, voted by a margin of 62 percent to 38 percent to remain in the EU in Thursday’s referendum, putting it at odds with Britain as a whole, which voted 52-48 percent in favour of Leave.
Ms Sturgeon said: “I want to make it absolutely clear today that I intend to take all possible steps and explore all options to give effect to how people in Scotland voted, in other words to secure our continuing place in the EU and in the single market.“
PA/Reuters