Scotland’s Parliament could attempt to block Britain from leaving the European Union

LONDON (AP) — Scotland’s Parliament could attempt to block Britain from leaving the European Union, according to the Scottish leader.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, determined to keep Scotland inside the EU, said on BBC that she would consider advising the Scottish Parliament not to give “legislative consent” to a British exit, or Brexit. She said withholding Scotland’s consent might block Britain’s plans to leave the union.

Voters in Scotland and Northern Ireland backed staying in the EU in Thursday’s referendum, but the role of Scotland’s Parliament in a final decision has not been made clear.

The Scottish question looms large because Sturgeon has also said another referendum on Scottish independence from Britain is “highly likely” as a result of Britain’s decision to leave the EU.

Sturgeon’s Scottish National Party does not enjoy an outright majority in the Scottish Parliament, but she emerged from the EU referendum unscathed.

The opposite is true for the leader of the British opposition Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, who is under increasing pressure to step down because of the referendum result. The Labour Party advocated remaining in the EU but many party insiders say Corbyn’s lackluster campaigning did little to promote the party’s cause.