First minister vows to find options to protect Scotland’s interests in EU talks

The first minister is expected to say she is “determined” to find options to protect Scotland’s key interests during EU negotiations in a speech in Edinburgh today.

Nicola Sturgeon is speaking just over a month on from the EU referendum at the conference of the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) think tank. IPPR director Russell Gunson has said the Scottish Government lacks “a genuine commitment to the UK”, so it is up to unionists to present options for Scotland’s EU future if they want to protect the UK – which both governments must pursue with “equal vigour”.

Addressing an audience of business leaders, charities and public-sector organisations, Ms Sturgeon will reflect on the EU referendum campaign and the result.

Voters in Scotland were 62% against leaving the EU despite a UK-wide win for the Leave campaign.

She will also talk about how to handle negotiations regarding Scotland’s future in the EU, having previously pledged to “explore all options”, but said a second Scottish independence referendum is “highly likely”.

Ms Sturgeon is expected to say: “I am determined that we find or create the options that best-preserve the key interests that depend on our relationship with the EU. Our democratic interests, the need to make sure Scotland’s voice is heard and our wishes respected.

“Our economic interests – safeguarding free movement of labour, access to a single market and the funding that our farmers and universities depend on.

“And our interests in social protection.”

“I’m determined to find options to preserve our key interests”