The First Minister has called on the UK Government to adopt an "inclusive approach" to the Brexit negotiations as talks on the UK's departure begin in Brussels.

Nicola Sturgeon repeated her call for the Scottish Government, and the other devolved administrations, to have a seat at the discussions.

The SNP leader described the present situation as "troubling". The UK Government is committed to leaving the European single market and has stated it is prepared to leave the European Union without an agreed deal.

Sturgeon said: "I think it is really troubling that these formal negotiations are getting under way today led by a UK Government that has no mandate, no credibility, no authority and no clear idea even amongst its own ranks of what it's trying to achieve.

"We need to see a different approach to these negotiations if they are not going to end up being damaging to our economy.

"We need a more inclusive approach that involves voices from every part of the UK, including the Scottish Government, and we need an approach that has a common-sense objective.

"In my view, that common-sense objective should be keeping the UK in the single market because leaving the EU shouldn't mean jeopardising hundreds of thousands of jobs, shouldn't mean jeopardising investment and it shouldn't mean putting living standards on the line."

The First Minister refused to be drawn on her plans for a second independence referendum.

When questioned by reporters during her visit to a University of Strathcyde research centre on Monday, Sturgeon said her decision would be made "in due course".

The SNP leader has come under pressure to abandon her push for a second vote on independence after her party lost 21 seats in the general election on June 8.