Brexit is a cover to strip powers, claims MSP

THE UK Government is deliberately using Brexit as a “cover” for stripping away powers from Holyrood and the other devolved administrations, Scotland’s Brexit Minister Mike Russell has claimed.

After MPs at Westminster backed the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill, the SNP minister made a statement on the matter to MSPs at Holyrood.

Mr Russell insisted the Bill as it stands would “alter permanent- ly the fundamental principle of devolution”.

He spoke out after a legislative consent memorandum, lodged by Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed that “the Scottish Government cannot recommend the Parliament consents to the Bill in its current form”.

The Scottish and Welsh governments will put forward amendments to the EU Withdrawal Bill in a bid to improve it, Mr Russell said.

But as it stands he stated: “The EU Withdrawal Bill appears to represent a deliberate decision by the UK Government to use the process of Brexit as a cover for taking powers and areas of policy which are clearly within the responsibility of this Parliament.”

He added: “Let me be entirely clear about this, it is not a logical or essential part of any withdrawal bill that new limitations are placed on the Scottish Parliament’s powers or, the National Assembly for Wales’ powers, or the powers of the Northern Ireland Assembly. But that is what the Bill does.”

Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens have already pledged to work with the Scottish Government on securing changes to the Bill.

Scottish Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw said his party also stood ready to meet with Scottish ministers to address their concerns.