Theresa May has said she will not trigger EU withdrawal negotiations until a “UK approach” is in place.
The prime minister, who met First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in Edinburgh yesterday, also insisted she was willing to listen to “any options” put forward by the SNP.
But she told the Scottish people they had had their say on independence in 2014.
After talks at Bute House, the first minister said she was “very pleased” at Mrs May’s willingness to consider any proposals the Scottish Government has
The prime minister said Scotland was very important to her and that she had wanted to make sure the nation was her first visit.
She added: “I’m very clear the government I lead will be for all parts of the UK and for all people.”
Asked if Scotland could have a different relationship with the EU to the rest of the UK, Mrs May replied: “I want to get the best possible deal for the UK out of our negotiations for the UK leaving, but I’m willing to listen to options.
“I’ve been very clear with the first minister that I want the Scottish Government to be fully engaged in our discussions and considerations and I will listen to any options they bring forward.”
But she added: “I won’t be triggering Article 50 until I think we have a UK approach and objectives for the negotiations.
“I think it’s important we establish that before we trigger Article 50.”
That would start the two-year negotiating window.
Ms Sturgeon has previously said she wants to examine all options “along the way”, but also that Scotland will have to consider becoming an independent member of the EU as one of them.
She added: “The question of independence is part and parcel of this debate and it has to be because of the situation that Scotland finds itself in through no fault of our own.
“I think it would be inconceivable to seek to stand in the way of a referendum if that’s what the Scottish Parliament voted for.”
Earlier this week, the new chancellor Philip Hammond ruled out Scotland having a different relationship with the EU.
But Scottish Secretary David Mundell said he was open to Scotland having a slightly different deal to the rest of the UK if it is “doable”.
Responding to the meeting, Scottish Labour’s Jackie Baillie said: “The prime minister has said she will not trigger Article 50 until there is a UK approach for the negotiations.
“This should be a cross-UK and cross-government approach that involves the leaders of all of the UK’s devolved governments.”
