Scotland must be given same status as Northern Ireland, insists Sturgeon

NICOLA Sturgeon has been accused of a desperate bid to drum up support for independence by demanding Scotland stays in the European single market and customs union.

In a speech in London yesterday, the First Minister said her government would ‘do nothing to stand in the way of Northern Ireland achieving a special relationship to the EU, if that is what is required’.

But she added: ‘However, if that is the outcome, the case for Scotland having a similar arrangement – to avoid us being placed at a severe economic disadvantage – becomes even stronger.’

Miss Sturgeon also renewed her threat to call for another independence referendum if her demands are not met.

Responding to the comments in the Commons, Prime Minister Theresa May said: ‘We are working for a deal which ensures that we leave the European Union as the whole United Kingdom.’

She also warned that a separate deal for Scotland would mean livestock checks at the Border.