NICOLA Sturgeon has told the UK Tory Government to “get a grip” in the aftermath of the EU referendum.

While the two main Westminster parties are spiralling into a leadership crisis the First Minister said she was “hard at it” working to ensure Scotland stays in the European Union.

Ms Sturgeon told the Scottish Parliament if a second referendum on independence is what it takes to secure that goal then moves will be made, but meantime other avenues were being explored.

After the resignation notification of David Cameron on Friday and as Labour MPs delivered a vote of no confidence in Jeremy Corbyn, Ms Sturgeon said she was leading for Scotland.

She said: “We have heard that, almost incredibly, there was no plan for this outcome.

“It is my view that the U.K. Government must now get a grip on this: first, to restore stability and confidence, then, to set out its plan for the way forward. It must involve the Scottish Government in that work at every step of the way.”

Glasgow Times:
David Cameron attends European Council meeting (Getty Images)

While asking for the Parliament to back her in talks with the UK and EU she said independence was not her “starting point”.

She is travelling to Brussels to the meet MEPs and the EU President Martin Shultz. Following that Ms Sturgeon will take her case for Scotland to stay in the EU to the heat of the Brussels administration.

She added: “I intend to set out Scotland’s position directly to the European Commission.”

The SNP leader assured MSPs that backing her motion on taking forward discussions was not an endorsement or acceptance of a second referendum while admitting it was an option.

She said: “There is no doubt that we are in a new and different place this week from last.

“Based on the very clear result in Scotland, if we were to be removed from the EU, it would be against the will of our people. That would be democratically unacceptable.

“It is for that reason that I have said that everything must be on the table to protect our place in Europe - including a second independence referendum.”

The opposition however said there can be no second bite at independence.

Ruth Davidson Tory leader said the UK should respond to the leave vote as one.

She said: “I cannot ignore the fact that within hours of the vote becoming clear on Friday morning, the Scottish Government had pushed the question of independence front and centre.

“In the days since the result last week, it feels to many people across Scotland that the SNP is talking about nothing but independence.

“You do not dampen the shock waves caused by one referendum by lighting the fuse for another.”

Labour criticised he leave campaign but not leave voters and said EU nationals were welcome in Scotland.

Kezia Dugdale, party leader, said: "The leave campaign contained some of the worst dog whistle racism and xenophobia I’ve heard in my life. Dog whistles that turned to foghorns whenever Nigel Farage spoke or unveiled a poster.

“But that does not make every leave voter a xenophobe or a right-winger.”

She also ruled out a second referendum and said he vote to leave was taken UK side.

She suggested exploiting a federal UK with associate membership of the EU for nations that voted to remain.