15 July 2016

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon welcomed new Prime Minister Theresa May to Edinburgh in what was her first official visit since taking office.

The Prime Minister travelled to Bute House to discuss a range of topics with the FM, including next steps on negotiations with the European Union following the referendum result.

Following the meeting, the First Minister said it was a constructive and very good discussion, and she hoped she could have a good working relationship with the Prime Minister despite their political differences.

“I was very pleased that Theresa May said that she was absolutely willing to consider any options that the Scottish Government now brings forward to secure Scotland’s relationship with the European Union. The process that is now taken forward by the UK Government will be open and flexible and the Scottish Government will be fully involved in that.

“These negotiations have yet to take shape and the UK Government don’t yet know exactly how they will proceed from here, but there is an agreement that Scottish Government officials will be very closely involved in discussions to give shape to this process and will be involved in that process. Crucially, and this is the most important point from my point of view, is that that process will be open to considering options that the Scottish Government brings forward.”