Scottish Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she would consider holding a second referendum on Scottish independence next year if the British government begins the formal process of leaving the EU without securing Scotland's position.
In an interview with the BBC, Sturgeon said that Scotland can remain both in the United Kingdom and in the EU.
New British Prime Minister Theresa May has previously said she would listen to any proposals from the Scottish Government but, after meeting Sturgeon on Friday, indicated she was unwilling to support another referendum, saying the people of Scotland had sent a "very clear message" in 2014.
May said London would not trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty until a single "British approach and objectives" to the exit talks were in place.
Asked about her position in the event that Article 50 is triggered in December and the Scottish government is not involved, Sturgeon said she was preparing for a second independence referendum for that reason.
"Of course, at that point it would be an option and a decision I would have to consider," the Scottish prime minister said, adding that she wants, and believes May does too, to find ways to respect the way Scotland voted. in the referendum on leaving the EU.
Sturgeon added that she would decide on a referendum if she concluded that it was in the best interests of Scotland and that ultimately the people of Scotland would decide whether it was the right way to go.
If the referendum were to be held, Sturgeon thinks it would be best to do so before Britain leaves the EU.
Voters in Scotland rejected independence from the United Kingdom in a referendum in 2014, and in a referendum in July they were overwhelmingly in favor of Britain remaining in the EU.
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