Killen asked to clarify position on Europe

Rutherglen and Hamilton West MP Gerard Killen has again been asked to clarify his position on Brexit.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn recently said leaving the EU also meant leaving the single market.

He also said there would not be “wholesale importation of underpaid workers from central Europe in order to destroy conditions.”

Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey said: “Labour is deeply divided on this fundamental issue.

“Jeremy Corbyn has displayed his ignorance of Europe by, quite wrongly, claiming that membership of the single market is dependent on EU membership. That is clearly not the case.

“By using inflammatory language on immigration to justify his position, Corbyn has aligned himself with Nigel Farage and Theresa May in supporting a hard Brexit and scapegoating EU immigrants.

“Mr Killen should be embarrassed that his UK leader has made such deeply irresponsible remarks on immigration – and that he seems unaware of the distinction between single market membership and EU membership.”

Mr Killen, who was previously asked about his position on Brexit by Councillor Robert Brown, said in response:“The Labour Party is focused on achieving a Brexit that provides certainty to EU nationals; prioritises jobs and living standards; builds a close new relationship with the EU; and protects workers rights and environmental standards.

“That is the manifesto commitment the people of Rutherglen and Hamilton West voted for and that is the outcome I support.

“The country and the EU is in uncharted territory. We need a deal bespoke to the unique circumstances of the UK within a changing EU.”