Moves to make all public office holders swear an oath of allegiance to British values are a "premature" response to a report on social cohesion, according to Scotland's First Minister.
UK Communities Secretary Sajid Javid sparked controversy at the weekend by saying he is "drawn" to the idea of a loyalty pledge, which elected officials, civil servants, council workers, and BBC and NHS employees may be expected to sign up to.
His proposal to counter extremism came in response to a report by Dame Louise Casey, which warned some sections of society do not accept British values such as tolerance.
Nicola Sturgeon suggested the UK Government had reacted hastily to the report and she called on ministers at Westminster to consider the document properly. She also said the move risks excluding some people in society.
Speaking at First Minister's Questions at Holyrood, the SNP leader said: "The Scottish Government has had no communication from the UK Government in relation to the Secretary of State's premature, in my view, response to the Casey report on social cohesion."
The First Minister pledged to consider the report's suggestions carefully.
"I think these are important issues and I said we respect the work that's been carried out by Dame Louise Casey," she told MSPs.
"I think it deserves to be given proper consideration and I would suggest that the UK Government should do the same, commit to giving it proper consideration, rather than taking the premature step of announcing that all public servants should be compelled to swear an oath.
"I do think it potentially risks the exclusion of people who do not define their values as uniquely British.
"Scotland has a long history of welcoming people of all nationalities and all faiths.
"We are committed to supporting their integration into our communities, not, in my view, through the swearing of oaths, but by creating a country where everyone has an opportunity to flourish and where diversity is truly welcomed and celebrated."
Ms Sturgeon spoke in response to a question from SNP MSP John Mason, who asked: "I wonder if the First Minister is any clearer than I am as to what British values actually are, and if everyone in Scotland should be expected to have them, because certainly I, for one, do not feel particularly British?"
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