An agreement to keep Northern Ireland in "regulatory alignment" with the European Union after Brexit could be replicated in other parts of the UK, the head of Scotland's devolved pro-independence government has said.

It comes aftTher Irish Government sources said the British government had agreed to maintain such alignment for Northern Ireland.

"If one part of the United Kingdom can retain regulatory alignment with the European Union and effectively stay in the single market (which is the right solution for Northern Ireland) there is surely no good practical reason why others can't", Nicola Sturgeon said on Twitter.

In the 2016 referendum in which the UK as a whole voted to leave the EU, a large majority of Scots voted to remain in the bloc.

The British government has so far ruled out any special Brexit deal for Scotland that would reflect that.

The devolved Scottish government has been campaigning for the UK to stay within the European single market and customs union, and had originally argued that Scotland could stay in the single market even if the rest of the UK left the trading area.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has expressed similar statements on social media.

Mr Khan tweeted: "Huge ramifications for London if Theresa May has conceded that it's possible for part of the UK to remain within the single market & customs union after Brexit. Londoners overwhelmingly voted to remain in the EU and a similar deal here could protect tens of thousands of jobs."

The Welsh First Minister, Carwyn Jones, has said if one part of the UK is granted continued participation of the single market & customs union then he fully expect to be made the same offer.