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The Daily Express has learnt that a meeting between Scottish Ukip MEP David Coburn and European Parliament President Martin Schulz has confirmed that Scotland will have to leave the EU with the rest of the UK. It came after the SNP First Minister had held meetings with senior EU figures to try to get a separate Scottish deal from the Brexit talks after a majority of Scots voted to Remain. And Ms Sturgeon also claimed over the weekend that Scotland is “in a strong position” to block Brexit. But it is understood that during the meeting with Mr Coburn, Mr Schulz confirmed that Scotland cannot remain a member of the EU if the UK leaves, putting an end to the halfway compromise suggested by the SNP.

GETTY The Daily Express has learnt Scotland will have to leave the EU with the rest of the UK

He also said that he met Ms Sturgeon as “a matter of courtesy” and because “it is one of his duties” to meet regional government heads. He is also said to have confirmed Scotland would have to apply as a new member of the EU if it becomes an independent state, but this would have to happen after the UK leaves. The meeting has put an end to claims being made that Scotland could veto the UK’s departure after a clear majority of voters backed Brexit.

GETTY Nicola Sturgeon recently met with Theresa May to discuss Scotland's future

It also appears to end speculation Scotland could leave the UK and remain part of the EU before Brexit is achieved. An EU source has also suggested that as a new member Scotland would be asked to join the Euro and Schengen free travel area, not get its share of the UK’s current rebate and would have to share its fishing waters with other EU members which would otherwise be liberated by Brexit. Mr Coburn told the Daily Express: “President Schulz is no more interested in ‘Balkanising’ the UK than Great Britain is in ‘Balkanising’ the EU – especially Spain and the Baltic States.” He said: “Scotland voted to Remain in the EU voting as the United Kingdom. We knew there would be a pan UK vote on Europe when we voted No in the [2014 independence] referendum.

GETTY A spokesperson for Mr Schulz has said it is not practice to comment on meetings with MEPs

“More Scots voted to Remain in the UK than voted to Remain in the EU and uncomfortably for the First Minister a third of SNP members voted to Leave the EU.” He added: “She has no mandate for a second independence referendum and the SNP would undoubtedly lose.” A spokeswoman for Mr Schulz said that it was not practice to comment on meetings with MEPs. However, she said: “I can confirm the meeting [with the Scottish First Minister] was a matter of courtesy and it is his duty to meet with heads of regional governments from member states.”

GETTY Theresa May appeared to close the door on a Scottish option and second independence referendum

Theresa May's political career in pictures Tue, April 18, 2017 Prime Minister Theresa May has promised to 'build a greater Britain' Play slideshow EPA 1 of 116 Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud (R) meeting with British Prime Minister Theresa May in the capital Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 05 April 2017. May is visiting Saudi Arabia as part of her Middle East trip to boost diplomatic ties in the region

After her meeting with Ms Sturgeon in Scotland, new Prime Minister Theresa May also appeared to close the door on a Scottish option and a second independence referendum.