LOCAL MSP Keith Brown will work hard alongside other Scottish Government ministers to protect the country's place in the European Union as people south of the border have dragged the UK into recession and instability.

As results were coming in the Pound went into free fall and hit a 31-year-low, on Friday the FTSE 100 has plunged more than eight per cent in its biggest slump since the financial crisis, wiping £120 billion off the value of the 100 biggest UK companies.

The cabinet secretary for economy, jobs and fair work, said following last Thursday's EU referendum that communities and businesses across Scotland have experienced many benefits of EU membership for the past 40 years, adding that the EU “is not, and nor should it ever be, simply an economic union” - it is a social union, which provides valuable social protections and employment rights.

The Wee County was one of the first places around the UK to announce its results – 57.75 per cent voted Remain and 42.25 per cent favoured Leave. Altogether, 25,439 votes were cast, a turnout of 67.2 per cent.

In a piece following the referendum results, Mr Brown wrote that the picture in Scotland was rather different than elsewhere in the UK, adding: “As a nation, Scotland, in its entirety, voted to protect its place in the world's biggest single market - and the jobs and investment that depend on it. We voted to safeguard our freedom to travel, live, work and study in other European countries. We voted to renew our reputation as an outward looking, open and inclusive country and importantly, we did so after a campaign that was positive about the EU.

“Regrettably, the result in Scotland was not mirrored across the UK and as things stand, Scotland faces the very real prospect of being taken out of the EU against our will - less than two years after being told that it was a vote for independence that would end our membership of the European Union.

“As the Westminster establishment rapidly implodes with a distinct lack of leadership from any party, Nicola Sturgeon has made it clear her intention is to act in the interests of all of Scotland. She has committed to explore all options to give effect to how people in Scotland voted - in other words, to secure our continuing place in the EU and in the single market in particular, and she has made it clear to David Cameron that the Scottish Government must be fully and directly involved in any and all decisions about the next steps that the UK government intends to take.

“The Scottish Government will also seek to enter into immediate discussions with the EU institutions and the other EU member states to explore all possible options to protect Scotland’s place in the EU.”

He said that discussions with key stakeholders, particularly in the business community, already began the next day, adding that trade and business should continue as “we are still firmly in the EU”.

The MSP continued: “The situation is rapidly changing and may indeed have moved on by the time this column is published, however, I want to reassure you that the Scottish Government will be working hard to protect Scotland interests while ensuring the day to day business of government continues.

“As Westminster is engulfed in political turmoil and as a vacuum of leadership develops, Scotland will continue to be led by a stable and effective government, focussed on making sure that Scotland’s interests are protected but determined to continue its work to further improve our schools, our hospitals and our economy.”

Speaking to the Advertiser at the count at Alloa Town Hall on Thursday night, the MSP highlighted the Scottish Remain campaign was all about the positives.

He said: “I always thought the single most telling argument for Remain was the contribution that the EU has made to peace for nearly 70 years.

“I mean, people forget how bad it was after WWII – whole communities, whole countries destroyed, millions of people killed and I'm not saying it's all down to the EU, but think it's made a huge contribution to keeping war at bay...”

Mr Brown wanted to reassure EU citizens that they “remain welcome here”.

He said: “Clackmannanshire, like the rest of Scotland, voted to remain within the EU – a vote to protect our place in the world’s biggest single market and the jobs and investment that depend on it.

“It’s significant that the result in Scotland came after a campaign that was positive about the EU and the benefits of freedom of movement.

“As your MSP, I want to tell the citizens of other EU countries living in Clackmannanshire that you remain welcome here, Scotland is your home and your contribution is valued.”

He also wanted to reassure EU students at Stirling University and added: “It’s deeply disappointing that the result in Scotland was not echoed across the whole of the UK – but Scotland has spoken decisively and we will make that voice heard.”