A majority of MSPs have backed a motion at Holyrood calling for Scotland’s place in the single market to be “protected”.

The motion, which was put forward by the SNP and backed by the Scottish Greens, urged the UK Government to provide “clarity” over its stance on single market membership.

It wants Scotland’s place within the market to continue even if it is not Downing Street’s is against retaining membership.

Scottish Conservative and Liberal Democrat MSPs voted against the proposal while Scottish Labour MSPs abstained from voting on it.

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It was carried by 65 votes in favour, 32 against and 20 abstentions from Scottish Labour MSPs.

The three parties’ opposition to the motion was based on fears the SNP would use their votes on backing the single market to support a second referendum on independence if the UK Government opts not to support or secure such an agreement.

The parties put forward amendments to the government’s motion but those were rejected by MSPs.

Economy secretary Keith Brown, who moved the motion, said: “Membership of the EU’s single market has delivered significant economic and social benefits for Scotland.

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“It has removed barriers to trade and opened Scotland to a market of 500m people”.

He added: “Leaving the single market could increase the cost of exporting. It could reduce the country’s attractiveness overseas to investors.

“It could lose us jobs, 80,000 is the figure mentioned by the Fraser of Allander institute”.

Shadow finance secretary Murdo Fraser replied: “What we understand on these benches is that we cannot be members of the single market unless we are members of the EU.

“What we can have is the maximum possible access to the EU single market with the lowest possible tariffs or indeed none at all”.

At her party’s conference in October, Nicola Sturgeon said she would pursue a second independence referendum if Scotland cannot retain single market membership separately from the rest of the UK.

Sturgeon said: “We will propose new powers to help keep Scotland in the single market even if the UK leaves.

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“But if the Tory government rejects these efforts – if it insists on taking Scotland down a path that hurts our economy, costs jobs, lowers our living standards and damages our reputation as an open, welcoming, diverse country –

“Then be in no doubt: Scotland must have the ability to choose a better future. And I will make sure that Scotland gets that chance.”

The Scottish Government will bring forward proposals it hopes the UK Government will adopt as its Brexit negotiating position in the coming weeks.

It is expected it will include devolving immigration as well as empowering Holyrood with the ability to forge international trade deals and agreements.