First Minister instructs Scottish Government to prepare for second Independence Referendum

She said a new poll is "highly likely" following the UK's vote to leave Europe despite Scotland overwhelmingly voting to stay in.

It was “democratically unacceptable” for the country to be dragged out of Europe by the rest of the UK despite the will of Scotland's majority of voters, she said.

Sturgeon, at a press call in Bute House in Edinburgh, said it was her responsibility to protect the country’s interests in Europe and she was determined to do so.

Facing a scrum of world media, she said there had been a “significant and material change in the circumstances in which Scotland voted against independence” in 2014.

"As things stand, Scotland faces the prospect of being taken out of the EU against our will," she said.

“I regard that as democratically unacceptable.“

The First Minister confirmed she was instructing legislation to begin the process of making sure the Scottish Parliament could be ready to stage a new referendum if it decides.

It was vital, she said, that a start on making arrangements begins within the three-month period leading up to Article 50 being triggered, the mechanism that would begin the official process of the UK leaving the EU within two years. 

She said: "The manifesto that the SNP was elected on last month said this:

‘The Scottish Parliament should have the right to hold another referendum if there is a significant and material change in the circumstances that prevailed over 2014 such as Scotland being taken out of the EU against our will’

“Scotland does now face that prospect.

“It is a significant and material change in circumstances and it is therefore a statement of the obvious the option of a second referendum must be on the table.

“And it is on the table."

With the sting of the 2014 referendum still burning, she insisted any new vote would be based only in the interests of Scotland and in full consultation with parliament.

She said: "There are many discussions to be had before final decisions can be taken.

“It would not be right to rush to judgment without discussions on how Scotland’s result will be responded to by the EU.

“However, when the Article 50 process is triggered in three months time, the UK will be on a two-year path to the EU exit door.

“If Parliament judges that a second referendum is the best or only way to protect our place in Europe, it must have the option to hold one within that timescale.

“That means we must act now to protect that position.

"I can therefore confirm today that in order to protect that position we will begin to prepare the legislation that would be required to enable a new independence referendum to take place if and when Parliament so decides."

Acknowledging a vote so soon after the 2014 poll was in uncharted waters, she reached out to all sides of the political community, saying her job was being driven by new circumstances.

She said: "This is not a situation that I wanted Scotland or the UK to be in today.

"Now my responsibility in a climate of uncertainty is to seek to lead us forward with purpose.

"I know that there is a lot of thinking and talking to be done in the period that lies ahead and before final decisions are taken. The issues that we face are complex

"There are many people who voted against independence in 2014 who are today reassessing their decision. Indeed a very large number of them have contacted me already.

"However I know that they will not want me to simply assume their support or to hear me talk about the challenges we face as if they are straightforward.

"They will want me to be straight and honest with them.

"Now is the time for me as First Minister to do everything I can to bring people together in common cause and to seek to lead our country forward as one.

"The need to act decisively must be tempered with the need to build consensus - and it will be.

"That is my duty as First Minister.

"After a campaign that has been characterised in the rest of the UK by fear and hate, my priority in the days, weeks and months ahead will be to act at all times in the best interests of Scotland - and in a way that unites, not divides us.

"And let me also make it clear about this: that whatever happens as a result of this outcome, England, Wales and Northern Ireland will always be Scotland's closest neighbours and our best friends. Nothing will ever change that.

"But I want to leave no-one in any doubt about this.

"I am proud of Scotland and how we voted yesterday.

"We proved that we are a modern, outward looking, open and inclusive country.

"And we said clearly that we do not want to leave the European Union

"I am determined that we will do what it takes to make sure that these aspirations are realised."

She went on: "Unfortunately, of course, yesterday's result in Scotland was not echoed across the whole of the United Kingdom.

“The UK-wide vote to leave the EU is one that I deeply regret.

“It remains my passionate belief that it is better for all parts of the UK to be members of the European Union.

"But the vote across England and Wales was a rejection of the EU and it was a sign of divergence between Scotland and large parts of the rest of the UK and how we see our place in the rest of the world."

“This vote wasn’t just about the EU.

“It was also a clear expression of the disaffection with the political system that is felt in too many communities.

“Communities taken for granted by Labour for generations and punished with austerity cuts by the Tories for a financial crisis they didn’t cause, who used this referendum to make their voices heard.

“The Westminster establishment has some serious soul-searching to do and I hope very much that it now does it.

“As First Minister of Scotland I have a duty to respond not just to the outcome across the UK, but also and in particular, to the democratic decision taken by the people of Scotland.

“As things stand, Scotland faces the prospect of being taken out of the EU against our will.

“I regard that as democratically unacceptable

“And of course we face that prospect less than two years after being told that it was our own referendum on independence that would end our membership of the European Union and that only a rejection of independence could protect it.

“Indeed for many people the supposed guarantee of remaining in the EU was a driver in their decision to vote to stay within the UK.

“So there is no doubt that yesterday’s result represents a significant and material change of the circumstances in which Scotland voted against independence in 2014.

“My job now is to act responsibly and in the interest of all of Scotland and that is what I intend to do.

Sturgeon also worked hard to capture the attention of Europe's other leaders during her press conference.

At pains to point out Scotland's desire to remain in the EU, she said she would be in touch with all the key stakeholders to press Scotland's credentials as a valued member.

And she assured Europeans already here that the country embraced them with open arms.

She said: "Yesterday Scotland - like London and Northern Ireland - voted overwhelmingly to remain in the European Union.

“We voted to protect our place in the world’s biggest single market and the jobs and investment that depend on it.

”We voted to safeguard our freedom to travel, live work and study in other European countries and we voted to renew our reputation as an outward looking, open and inclusive country.

“It is significant in my view that we did so after a campaign that was positive about the EU and about the benefits of migration.

“I want to take the opportunity this morning to speak directly to citizens of other European countries living here in Scotland.

“You remain welcome here. Scotland is your home and your contribution is valued."

Stating that the Scottish Cabinet would meet first thing on Monday, she said the resilience committee was convening over the weekend to ensure proper oversight. 

She added: “We are determined that Scotland will continue now and in the future to be an attractive and stable place to do business.

“Our resilience committee will meet later this afternoon to oversee these immediate actions.

“I want to make it absolutely clear today that I intend to take all possible steps and explore all options to give effect to how people in Scotland voted.

“In other words, to secure our continuing place in the EU and in the single market in particular.

“To that end I have made clear to the Prime Minister this morning that the Scottish Government must be fully and directly involved in any and all decisions about the next steps that the UK Government intends to take.

“We will also be seeking direct discussions with the EU institutions and its member states including the earliest possible meeting with the president of the European Commission.

“I will also be communicating over the weekend with each EU member state to make clear that Scotland has voted to stay in the EU and I intend to discuss all options for doing so.

“I should say I have also spoken this morning with mayor Sadiq Khan and he is clear that he shares this objective for London, so there is clear common cause between us.”

"The discussions that take place over the coming days and weeks will of course be led by government but I will seek the support and ensure the involvement of the Scottish Parliament every step of the way.

“I intend to speak to all party leaders later today and make a full statement to the Chamber on Tuesday.

“I will also make a further statement following tomorrow’s meeting of the Scottish Cabinet."

Despite his role in allowing the Brexit campaign to succeed, Sturgeon also paid tribute to departing Prime Minister David Cameron.

She said: "In closing, let me just say just a word or two about the Prime Minister.

"David Cameron and I have very many political disagreements - not least over the conduct of this referendum.

"But - as I am learning every single day - leadership is not easy. David has been the Prime Minister of the UK for six years. It is a tough job and, whatever our disagreements, he deserves our thanks for his service.

"I wish him and his family well for the future."