DUNFERMLINE MP Douglas Chapman has said Scotland now has a mandate to “reconsider our relationship with the rest of the UK” following the Brexit vote to leave the EU.

Speaking to the Press following the historic result, the SNP MP warned that the vote had “huge ramifications” for Scotland.

He said: “There appeared to be particularly strong support for remaining in the EU across large swathes of West Fife and we were very happy at the local result.

“The UK result, however, has huge ramifications for the whole of Scotland in terms of security of jobs and the prosperity of the nation and the First Minister has acted swiftly to maintain calm at a time of turmoil.

“In Scotland, we now have a mandate to take forward the opportunity to reconsider our relationship with the rest of the UK.

“The very reasons for voting No less than two years ago were that we would have the stability of the UK and be able to remain as members of the EU – the best of both worlds.

“Both these worlds have been destroyed overnight and with every area of Scotland voting to remain, the people of the UK have not only lost Europe, but now face the prospect of losing Scotland too.”

The SNP manifesto for May's Holyrood elections said the Scottish Parliament should have the right to hold another referendum if there was a "significant and material change" in the circumstances that prevailed in 2014, such as Scotland being taken out of the EU against its will.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said earlier today that it was “democratically unacceptable” that Scotland faced being taken out of the EU against its will, and announced that the Scottish Government would begin preparing legislation to enable a new independence vote.

The Fife Chamber of Commerce called for clarity on international trade and potential implications for Scottish businesses following the Brexit vote.

Chief executive Alan Mitchell said: “The priority now for Fife’s and Scotland’s businesses is to understand what this will mean for them in practical terms.

“The UK Government must clearly explain the process of disengagement from the EU, and the timetable for this.

“The EU is a leading international market, worth over £11billion in terms of exports of goods and services.

“An early priority must be for the UK Government to explain what they will aim to secure with regard to our future trading arrangements with the EU and other international markets. This will be critical for both importers and exporters.”