Nicola Sturgeon: I will do all I can to protect Scotland's interests after Brexit vote

ITV News' Europe editor James Mates reports.

Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland, has said she had a "very sympathetic" response from European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker about Scotland's position after the EU referendum.

She told press she doesn't "underestimate the challenges we face" after speaking to leaders in Brussels about Scotland wanting to stay in the EU.

She added that she "wouldn't be fit to be First Minister" if she ignored the fact that her country had democratically voted to stay within the EU.

If the only way to protect Scotland's relationship with Europe is independence from the UK, she explained, then that option needed to be considered.

She reiterated that she will do "all I can" to ensure that Scotland's vote is respected.

However, the leaders of France and Spain have poured cold water on the idea of Scotland joining the EU after the UK voted for Brexit.