Nicola Sturgeon will write to all EU nationals living in Scotland, reassuring them that her government will “pursue every option to protect Scotland’s position in Europe and, by extension, the interests of EU citizens who live and work here”.



The announcement came after the first minister met consular representatives from 18 EU countries, including France, Spain, Germany and Poland, earlier on Tuesday.

Immediately following the meeting, she branded “inhumane” the UK government’s failure to guarantee the rights of EU nationals living in Scotland.



Sturgeon said: “My message today – to EU citizens and to their representatives in Scotland – remains simple: Scotland is your home, you are welcome and your contribution to our economy, our society and our culture is valued.”



She later reiterated her call for David Cameron and his potential successors to give “an immediate guarantee that the existing rights of the 173,000 EU nationals in Scotland will be protected”.

A diplomatic source at the meeting said the main focus of questioning and discussion focused on the future status of EU nationals living in Scotland, including their continuing right to work there and hold EU citizenship.

With the Spanish consul general, Miguel Utray, said to have made a “very eloquent” statement on the position of other EU nationals after the Brexit vote, Sturgeon was warned that the diplomats present were unable to intervene on Scotland’s behalf with the EU or offer Scotland significant support as the UK’s future relationship with the EU was considered to be wholly a matter for the UK government.

But, the source said, the first minister indicated she believed Scotland had to carve out its own position as soon as possible since the Brexit crisis could take months to resolve.

That was underscored by a letter from Alasdair Allan, the overseas development and Europe minister, given to diplomats present stressing that the Scottish government wanted to find ways to formally secure the rights of EU citizens living in Scotland.



Sturgeon also met business organisations, including representatives from the CBI and the Federation of Small Businesses, on Tuesday and committed to work together, both in Scotland and in Brussels, to “ensure that the message that Scotland is open for business is heard”.

She said: “While the path ahead is uncertain, every part of the EU must know that Scotland remains part of the EU and an attractive and stable place to do business, with a fundamentally strong economy. I agree with business organisations that we need to get that clear, unequivocal message out and also about the long-term importance to Scotland of the EU, the single market and free movement.”

“We will work closely with business organisations, sharing intelligence as issues arise and deepening relationships with businesses with strong EU connections. And we’ll use our influence in Brussels and elsewhere to ensure that the message that Scotland is open for business is heard and understood and that we work together to protect Scotland’s interests and the benefits that the EU and the single market deliver.”