FIRST Minister Nicola Sturgeon has now responded to today’s earlier Brexit speech from Prime Minister Theresa May.

PM May had made it clear in her address that in leaving the European Union, the UK would also be leaving the single market. This is something Sturgeon has stressed she does not believe to be in Scotland’s best interests.

Although May did mention the importance of staying together as a union, Sturgeon has said despite these “warm words,” Brexit now threatens to be “economically catastrophic.”

“The Scottish Government set out , before Christmas, compromise proposals that would protect Scotland’s interests – and we made clear the central importance of single market membership to Scotland’s economic and and wider national interests.”

“..If, as the PH has now signalled, the UK is not staying in the single market, then there must be serious engagement on our proposal to allow Scotland to do so.”

The FM’s response ends with the suggestion that after Theresa May’s speech and the confirmation that the UK will leave the single market, calls for a second independence referendum are inevitable.

“The UK Government cannot be allowed to take us out of the EU and the single market, regardless of the impact on our economy, jobs, living standards and our reputation as an open, tolerant country, without Scotland having the ability to choose between that and a different future.”

“With her comments today, the Prime Minister has only succeeded in making that choice more likely.”