STURGEON DRAWS UP BREXIT PLANS

First Minister has told officials to prepare for another attempt to break up Britain

NICOLA Sturgeon has ordered officials to draw up secret plans for a second battle of Britain if the UK backs Brexit next week.

She is determined to protect Scotland’s EU membership at all costs.

But Brexit campaigners said the First Minister was ‘panicking’ after a poll showed Scots support for the EU had slumped. Elsewhere yesterday:

Scots farmers backed Remain, saying the EU was responsible for 74 per cent of income in 2015;

Nick Clegg campaigned for Remain in Edinburgh and predicted Scots votes would make a ‘crucial difference’ to the overall UK result;

The Scottish Institute warned the rights of workers and consumers would be better protected by staying in the EU.

At First Minister’s Questions yesterday, pro-Brexit MSPs complained Miss Sturgeon and Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale broke campaign rules by combining to use the supposedly neutral parliament to make the case for Remain.

But they were overruled by Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh, leaving Tory veteran Margaret Mitchell visibly fuming.

Miss Dugdale said: ‘The future of our economy is one of the biggest being debated outside of this chamber and sudden shocks would have a damaging impact on our ability to fund public services.

‘People need to know what plans are in place. Can the First Minister tell us what contingency planning is under way to prepare for a shock to the UK economy?’

Miss Sturgeon replied: ‘As First Minister, my duty is to seek to protect Scotland’s interests in all circumstances and, therefore, I am ensuring that appropriate planning for all eventualities is being undertaken by the Scottish Government.

‘Let me also say that, if Scotland faces the prospect of being taken out of the EU against our democratically expressed will, all options to protect our relationship with Europe and the EU will require to be considered.’

Afterwards, her spokesman said those ‘options’ would be political and diplomatic, rather than legal.

When pressed further, he referred to the SNP manifesto which said the Scottish parliament should have the right to call a second independence vote if there was ‘a significant and material change… such as Scotland being taken out of the EU against our will’.

Miss Sturgeon also attempted to hammer home the economic case for staying in the EU, saying: ‘Right now in Scotland, there are more than 300,000 jobs that are associated directly or indirectly with Scotland’s access to the single market.

‘In addition, more than 40 per cent of Scotland’s international exports go to countries within the single market. Of the more than 2,000 foreign-owned companies in Scotland, more than 40 per cent are owned by firms that are based in other European countries.’

But recent polls suggest Scots are becoming disillusioned by Remain. Ipsos MORI found support for staying had slumped from 66 per cent in April to 53 per cent this week.

Tom Harris of Scottish Vote Leave, said: ‘There is no doubt they are panicking like mad. She has been encouraging Scots to vote in such heavy numbers as to keep England inside the EU against its will. She said that would be acceptable, so she cannot now complain there is anything wrong in Scotland being taken out of the EU by English votes.’

Scottish Tory constitution spokesman Adam Tomkins said: ‘The idea Scotland’s place in the UK is in some way dependent on Britain’s membership of the EU is a bizarre concept. With the SNP about to prepare a fresh drive for independence, the Scottish Conservatives will be strong in opposition and stand up for our place in the UK.’

Scots fishermen are expected to deliver a strong Brexit vote, but farmers are likely to vote Remain.

In a letter to be published in Scottish Farmer today, industry leaders will say: ‘Whether you love or hate the EU, it delivered 74 per cent of farmers’ income in 2015. Remaining in the EU is the only way to guarantee these advantages will continue.’

In Edinburgh, Mr Clegg said: ‘This is shaping up to be a knife-edge result and Scotland can make the difference.’

Dr Azeem Ibrahim, executive chairman of the Scotland Institute, said: ‘The EU is a massive gain for workers’ rights and consumer protection. The motivations of those leading the charge to the exit door tells me these rights would very likely be lost if the UK votes Leave.’

‘There is no doubt they are panicking’