Nicola Sturgeon faces pressure for fresh Scottish independence referendum

Nicola Sturgeon was under pressure to call a fresh independence referendum after she said Scots had made an “unequivocal” call to stay in Europe.

JK Rowling predicted that the United Kingdom would be ripped apart after England and Scotland voted in opposite directions, tweeting: “Scotland will seek independence now. Cameron’s legacy will be breaking up two unions. Neither needed to happen.”

Scotland voted to stay in the EU by 62 per cent to 38, with all 32 regional counts recording Remain. It contrasted with England’s vote of 53.4 per cent for Leave and 46.6 for Stay.

First Minister Ms Sturgeon said: “Scotland has delivered a strong, unequivocal vote to remain in the EU, and I welcome that endorsement of our European status ... the vote here makes clear that the people of Scotland see their future as part of the European Union.”

Under EU rules, Scotland could not just stay in the European club by leaving the UK. Instead it would have to apply for membership after independence.

However, the SNP manifesto in May said there should be a new independence ballot if there were a “significant and material” change in circumstances. Ms Sturgeon said: “Scotland has spoken, and spoken decisively.”

Northern Ireland voted Remain by 55.8 per cent to 44.2 — and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness called for a vote on a united Ireland.

Sinn Fein’s national chairman Declan Kearney said: “The British Government has now forfeited its mandate to represent the north of Ireland in relation to the EU.”

Gibraltar voted overwhelmingly to remain, by 19,322 votes to 823.