Remain campaigners have been left dejected across the country after Leave's seismic victory in the EU referendum.

Former Europe minister and Labour MP Keith Vaz called the result "a crushing, crushing decision ... a terrible day for Britain and a terrible day for Europe".

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Scotland's 62% backing for Remain showed the country saw its future as part of the EU, calling it a "strong, unequivocal vote".

Sturgeon said: "Scotland has delivered a strong, unequivocal vote to remain in the EU, and I welcome that endorsement of our European status... the vote here makes clear that the people of Scotland see their future as part of the European Union."

The First Minister added Scotland had "contributed significantly" to the UK-wide Remain vote.

Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell said of Labour's Remain campaign that "people don't think we've been listening enough" while former leader Ed Miliband said the country was divided and discontented.

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale tweeted: "Difficult times ahead. Tories took a huge gamble with our future and they've lost. Now they need to act to protect our economy.

"In Scotland, it's clear we want to work together. 1.6 million voted to remain in EU, 2 million voted to stay in UK just 18 months ago."

Other senior pro-Remain politicians criticised the Prime Minister David Cameron, with shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn suggesting it would be "very hard" for him to stay in office.

Speaking to the BBC, Benn said: "As the Prime Minister is concerned I don't see how he is going to remain in his job for very long at all.

"I think it's very hard for him in those circumstances to remain.

"If you are the Prime Minister, you've called this referendum, you've laid your reputation on the line and your arguments, I think it's going to be very hard."

Former Liberal Democrat cabinet minister Sir Vince Cable said Cameron's authority would be "completely gone" if Leave won.

Cable called Cameron's decision to hold the referendum a "very bad call" and said the Prime Minister had failed to consider the consequences "when you just throw the cards in the air".

In Scotland, Patrick Harvie of the Greens has launched an online petition calling on the Scottish Parliament to "examine and exhaust every option for continuing Scotland's close ties with Europe".

Scottish Greens co-convener Patrick Harvie said: "It's devastating to see that the deceitful, manipulative and at times downright racist Brexit campaign has succeeded south of the border, and looks set to tear up the many benefits of EU membership and play fast and loose with our economic future.

"The Leave campaign claimed to be defending democracy, but they now propose to remove the rights of EU citizenship from Scotland regardless of the way people living here voted.

"Scotland must keep open every option for protecting ourselves from this threat."