‘YOU’VE SCOT TO WORK TOGETHER’

BUSINESS leaders have urged the Scottish and UK governments to continue to work together on Brexit.

Tim Allan, president of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, told Westminster’s Scottish Affairs Committee it would be an “error” for ministers to “draw red lines” or withdraw from joint working.

Relations between the two governments hit a new low after aspects of the EU Withdrawal Bill relating to devolution were approved by MPs at Westminster with less than 20 minutes of debate, despite the Scottish Parliament voting not to grant its consent to the legislation.

Scotland’s Constitutional Relations Secretary Mike Russell has said devolution cannot continue with a “business as usual approach”, calling for Holyrood’s consent to be embedded in law and for new “robust” intergovernmental processes.

Conservative MP John Lamont asked a panel of witnesses what the impact would be if the Scottish Government were to pull out of joint ministerial meetings over the row.

Mr Allan said: “Scotland should be taking part in that discussion at the highest levels.

“The devolved administration has its role, the UK Government has its role – they should be working together in the interests of business.

“I’m not interested in the party politics of this or the constitutional arrangements. I think drawing red lines and pulling out of any negotiation or joint working is an error.”