Nicola Sturgeon and Sadiq Khan hold talks as she confirms plan to block Brexit

Nicola Sturgeon: The First Minister was addressing the Scottish Parliament on Brexit
Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
Mark Chandler28 June 2016
WEST END FINAL

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Nicola Sturgeon today said she had held talks with Sadiq Khan over their “shared interest” in maintaining relations with the EU.

The First Minister made the claim while addressing the Scottish Parliament following last week’s referendum decision backing Brexit.

She told MSPs: “I spoke on Friday with the Mayor of London and this morning with the chief minister of Gibraltar to discuss the shared interest we now have in protecting our relationship with Europe.”

Her comments come after Sadiq Khan demanded more tax-raising powers and control of areas including housing, planning and transport to protect the capital from the Brexit fallout.

Ms Sturgeon, who is due to travel to Brussels tomorrow for a meeting with European Parliament President Martin Schulz, said: "Scotland spoke clearly for Remain and I am determined that Scotland's voice will be heard."

She announced a standing council of experts and diplomats who would advise the Scottish Parliament on EU negotiations.

Ms Sturgeon claimed she was not looking for a second independence referendum at the moment but it would be considered if that was the only way to protect her country’s place in the EU.

She said: “Based on a very clear result in Scotland, if we were to be removed from the EU, it would be against the will of our people.

"That would be democratically unacceptable."

And she slammed the “vacuum” of power in Westminster following leadership turmoil in both the Conservative and Labour parties, warning against “three months of drift”.

She said: “These times call for principles, purpose and clarity - in short, for leadership.

"This is why the vacuum that has developed at Westminster is so unacceptable.

"Politicians who proposed this referendum - no matter how bruised they feel by the result - have a duty now to step up and deal with the consequences of its outcome.

"Those who campaigned for a Leave vote - making a number of promises in the process - must now be clear and honest about their plans to deliver."

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