Scotland seeks EU talks in wake of Brexit vote

Scotland has put the machinery into operation to convoke a second referendum on the country's independence from the UK. The country is keen to open talks with Brussels about a future independent Scotland within the EU after a large majority of Scots voted to remain in the Union in the recent Brexit referendum. The devolved Scottish government yesterday met in First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's official residence in Edinburgh to analyse the post-referendum situation. The outcome was a decision to pursue a second referendum on independence, starting with the setting up of an advisory panel to study the best way to proceed.

“Cabinet agreed that we will seek to enter into immediate discussions with the EU institutions and other EU member states to explore all possible options to protect Scotland's place in the EU. Over the next few days I will establish an advisory panel comprising a range of experts who can advise me and the Scottish Government on a number of important matters – legal, financial and diplomatic,” Sturgeon said following the meeting.

The breakdown of the voting in the referendum shows that it was mostly voters in England and Wales who voted for Brexit, with 62% of Scottish voters expressing a wish to remain a part of the European Union.