SCOTLAND's Brexit Secretary Michael Russell is travelling to Brussels today to say that Scotland hopes to remain in the EU, and to push for an extension to Article 50.

Representing the Scottish Government, he will meet with MEPs Philippe Lamberts and Danuta Hubner, as well as European Policy Centre president Herman van Rompuy – the former president of the European Council – and its chief executive Fabian Zuleeg.

Calling for an extension to Article 50, Russell said: “A decisive majority of people in Scotland voted to remain within the European Union and the Scottish Government is determined to do all we can to ensure their wishes are respected.

“The Prime Minister’s deal has suffered a crushing defeat in the House of Commons but her statement yesterday failed to set out a realistic way forward and she seems intent on running down the clock, bringing the prospect of a no deal – and the threat it would pose to jobs, business and living standards – ever closer.

“The Scottish Government will now step up our efforts to secure an extension to Article 50 and for a second referendum on EU membership.”