Scotland would consider blocking legislation on Britain's exit from the European Union if that were necessary to protect Scottish interests, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said on Sunday.

Scotland, a nation of 5 million people, voted to stay in the EU by 62 to 38 percent in Thursday's referendum, putting it at odds with the United Kingdom as a whole, which voted 52 to 48 percent in favor of an exit from the bloc.

Under the UK's complex arrangements to devolve some powers to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, legislation generated in London to give effect to the vote to leave the EU would have to gain consent from the three devolved parliaments.

Asked whether she would consider asking the Scottish Parliament to block a motion of legislative consent, Sturgeon said, "Of course.

"Don't get me wrong, I care about the rest of the UK, I care about England, that's why I'm so upset at the UK-wide decision that's been taken. But my job as first minister-the Scottish Parliament's job-is to judge these things on the basis of what's in the interest of people in Scotland."

Sturgeon has repeatedly said since the referendum result was announced on Friday that she would take whatever steps were necessary to ensure that Scotland's democratic will was respected.

Labour's left-wing leader Jeremy Corbyn sacked his foreign policy chief as the party plunged into open conflict.

His health chief responded by resigning, calling for anew leader and reflecting accusations among pro-EU lawmakers that Corbyn's failure to win over traditional Labour voters had played a major role in the referendum result.