Sturgeon says SNP may try to block a Brexit

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said all options are open in respect of Scotland's future relationship with the European Union.

"The alternative to doing that is to just shrug my shoulders and say that Scotland's going to be dragged out of the European Union against our will and if I did that I don't think I'd be fit to be First Minister of Scotland."

"We are in uncharted territory and I don't think anybody can say whether from Scotland or the UK as a whole with certainty what happens next."

There are a "good many" questions still to answer about Scotland's future both within the EU and within the UK, Nicola Sturgeon has said, as she insisted she did not want to see a border separating her country from England.

Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr show, the Scottish First Minister said there would be "deeply damaging and painful consequences" for the UK during the process of withdrawing from the union.

She said her job was to negotiate the best way forward for Scotland, and said this included questions over whether there would have to be a border put into place with England, and what currency they would use.

"I certainly don't want to see in any circumstances a border between Scotland and England," she said, describing England as their "closest neighbours" and "friends".

It comes after Scotland voted in favour of staying in the EU, contrary to the overall result for the UK, sparking talk of a second Scottish independence referendum.

The Scottish Liberal Democrats have thrown their weight behind plans by Nicola Sturgeon to open "immediate" discussions with Brussels following the UK's decision to leave the EU.

Leader of the Lib Dems north of the border Willie Rennie said the First Minister would have his support in the process.

It comes after Ms Sturgeon vowed to "protect Scotland's place in the EU" as Scots voted 62 per cent to 38 per cent to remain in the union, contrary to the overall result.

She also said the option of a second independence referendum for Scotland was "on the table" - but Mr Rennie said that was not what he was backing.

Scotland voted to remain in the EU in the referendum but now faces being dragged out of it.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said that was "undemocratic" and that a second independence referendum was "highly likely".

ITV News Correspondent Martin Geissler reports:

Nicola Sturgeon said she and London Mayor Sadiq Khan share the same view about their areas remaining in EU.

Nicola Sturgeon said the Scottish Government will begin to prepare the legislation required to enable a second independence referendum to take place.

The First Minister said the option of a second independence referendum "must be on the table and it is on the table" after Scotland overwhelmingly voted to remain in the EU.

She said it is "highly likely" a second independence referendum will take place.

She added she will take "all possible steps and explore all options" to secure Scotland's continuing place in the EU.

She said it is "democratically unacceptable" that Scotland would be taken out of the EU "against its will".

She added: "I am proud of Scotland and how we voted yesterday. We proved we are a modern, outward looking, open and inclusive country and we said clearly that we don't want to leave the EU."

Former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond has called on David Cameron to resign today.

He added that Scotland is likely to push for a second referendum on independence.