28 June 2016

The First Minister addressed the Scottish Parliament for the first time since the EU referendum vote.

She stated three priorities: reassuring people who have chosen to make Scotland their home that they are welcome here, and that their contribution is valued; engaging with stakeholders to understand their concerns and make clear that Scotland remains a stable and attractive place to do business; and the overriding priority of protecting Scotland’s relationship with, and place in the European Union.

FM: Scotland is an open and welcoming country, prejudice, hate and racism will not be tolerated, now or at any time

— Scottish Government (@scotgov) June 28, 2016

In the next week the First Minister will host Consul Generals from EU member states to discuss how to provide further reassurance to EU nationals in Scotland, and will visit Brussels to meet major groups in the European Parliament and the President of the European Union, Martin Schulz.

The First Minister will also establish a Standing Council of experts to provide advice on how best to achieve Scotland’s EU objectives.

FM @NicolaSturgeon forms group to advise on Scotland’s relationship with the EU. https://t.co/C2J79MXQd0

— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) June 28, 2016

She added:

I want to be clear to Parliament that whilst I believe that independence is the best option for Scotland, it is not my starting point in these discussions…if the government does conclude that the best or only way to protect Scotland’s place in the EU is through a referendum on independence we will return to Parliament with that judgment and it will then be for Parliament to decide.”

The full text of FM @NicolaSturgeon's statement to @ScotParl on #EUref can be found here: https://t.co/vxNDMR0qkE

— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) June 28, 2016

(Homepage picture copyright The Scottish Parliament)