Glasgow city council leader Frank McAveety is asking for an "urgent" meeting with the First Minister and said raising the prospect of a second Independence referendum was premature.

He said the country was in a period of significant uncertainty and admitted EU citizens living in Glasgow were "understandably worried" about what happens next.

Mr McAveety said: "What's important is stability and I am willing to explore all the options that are available, but the introduction by the First Minister of the prospect of a second Scottish independence referendum at this stage is premature and only brings further uncertainty.

"I will be asking for an urgent meeting with her to discuss how best to stand up for Glasgow and Scotland's other cities in any negotiations that she is involved in and for clarity on her roadmap for a second independence referendum.

"Glasgow is the powerhouse of the Scottish economy and it's crucial that the city has a voice in the EU exit negotiations. Although Britain will be outside the EU, it's vital that we remain part of the single market.

"What's needed right now is cool heads, patience and unity of purpose in standing up for Glasgow."

He said Glasgow was a cosmopolitan city and he wanted to let the thousands of EU citizens who lived in the city that they would always be welcome.

He added: "There was cross-party consensus in the council that a vote to leave the EU would be bad for the city and Glasgow's voters, and those across Scotland, have overwhelmingly reflected that opinion.

"But a democratic decision has been made and we need to accept that.

"Our job now is to negotiate the best deal for Glasgow."

He said businesses did not react well to instability and the council would do "everything it can" to bring stablity to the market.