New Independence Referendum Highly Likely: Scottish First Minister

62 percent Scots voted to ‘Remain’ in the European Union, while UK voted to ‘Leave’.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon casting her vote in the historic referendum. (Photo: AP)

Scotland is highly likely to hold a second independence referendum, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said on Friday, adding she would do what is necessary to secure the country’s place in the European Union after Britain voted to leave the bloc.

It is a statement of the obvious that the option of a second referendum must be on the table and it is on the table. I think an independence referendum is now highly likely.

Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish First Minister.

Scotland, which held its previous independence referendum in 2014, voted by a margin of 62 percent to 38 percent to remain in the EU in Thursday’s referendum, putting it at odds with Britain as a whole, which voted 52-48 percent in favour of ‘Leave’.

Sturgeon added: “I want to make it absolutely clear today that I intend to take all possible steps and explore all options to give effect to how people in Scotland voted, in other words to secure our continuing place in the EU and in the single market.”