British PM Travels to Scotland

LONDON (AP) -- Theresa May is traveling to Scotland on her first official trip as prime minister to try to sooth fears in Scotland about the impact of Britain leaving the European Union.

She will meet with Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon later Friday in a bid to convince Sturgeon there's no need to consider another Scottish independence referendum.

Sturgeon said after the Brexit vote that a second independence referendum is highly likely because Scottish voters want to be part of the 28-nation EU. She leads the pro-independence Scottish National Party.

May said before the trip the government wants to reassure Scottish voters. She says "I believe with all my heart in the United Kingdom — the precious bond between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland."

Scots rejected independence in a 2014 vote.

(KA)