HOLYROOD could try to block the UK's exit from the EU, Nicola Sturgeon has said.

The First Minister said MSPs might be able to thwart Brexit by refusing to back Westminster legislation extricating the UK from EU law.

The scenario - which would provoke a major constitutional crisis - was dismissed by Scottish Secretary David Mundell, who said Scotland would have to accept the UK-wide EU referendum result "even if we don't like it".

His view was echoed by Theresa Villiers, the Northern Ireland Secretary, who was responding to a similar warning from the pro-Remain SDLP that Stormont could block Brexit.

Ms Sturgeon raised the prospect of a Holyrood rebellion against Brexit as she promised to consider all options to maintain Scotland's relationship with the EU.

She said Holyrood would be asked to pass a series of "legislative consent motions" approving Westminster legislation taking the UK out of the EU.

Speaking on the BBC's Sunday Politics Scotland programme, she said: "Looking at it from a logical perspective, I find it hard to believe that there wouldn't be that requirement.

"I suspect that the UK government will take a very different view on that and we'll have to see where that discussion ends up."

Asked whether she would ask MSPs to use Holyrood powers to block Brexit, she said: "of course".

She added: "If the Scottish Parliament was judging this on the basis of what's right for Scotland then the option of saying look we're not to vote for something that's against Scotland's interest, of course that's got to be on the table."

The idea that Scotland could block Brexit was first raised by Sir David Edward, a former European Court judge, when he gave evidence to a House of Lords committee in May.

He said he believed Westminster legislation that removed the application of EU law in Scotland would have to be approved by MSPs.

As things stand, fundamental aspects of EU law are embedded in the Scotland Act which created the parliament and, by convention, Westminster must seek the permission of Holyrood to legislate in devolved areas.

Sir David also told peers the Scottish Government could gain "political advantages" by refusing to give its consent to Brexit legislation.

His comments have led to speculation the First Minister might threaten to block Brexit in order to win assurances from the UK Government about the legality of a second independence referendum.

Mr Mundell, interviewed on the same programme, said: "We have to respect the result on Thursday, even if we don't like it - it was a UK wide vote. It was a vote by people across the UK."

On the possibility of Holyrood stopping Brexit, he added: "What we need to see is the legal mechanism that we go through to get to a situation of the UK leaving.

"I personally don't believe the Scottish Parliament is in position to block Brexit."

His comments were echoed by Leave supporter Ms Villiers.

She said the UK Government recognised the Remain result in Scotland and Northern Ireland and would work with the Scottish Government and Northern Ireland Executive on the Brexit deal.

But she added: "Ultimately it is parliament's decision whether we repeal the 1972 European Communities Act or whether we don't."

Ms Sturgeon said and cabinet colleagues would begin talking to Brussels officials this week about Scotland remaining in the EU.

She will also seek meetings with European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker and senior politicians from individual members states over the coming weeks and months.

The charm offensive will continue next month when she hosts a summit of EU consuls general.

In another interview, on Sky News, Ms Sturgeon was asked how Scotland could remain in the EU without becoming independent.

She said: "Well I don't know if that will be possible but what I am determined to do is to explore all possible options to give effect to how people in Scotland voted and to protect Scotland’s interests, to avoid us being taken out of the European Union against our will with all of the deeply damaging and painful consequences that that will entail."

She added: "I am not starting from the premise of saying it has got to be independence, I am starting from the premise of what do we need to do to protect Scotland’s interests but if it does appear to be obvious that the only way we can protect Scotland’s interests is by looking again at independence then that’s an option that Scotland has to have."