STURGEON’S BREXIT STAND-OFF

First Minister’s astonishing snub to May’s deputy as he tries to discuss EU deal

NICOLA Sturgeon yesterday snubbed a Brexit meeting with Theresa May’s deputy and claimed the purpose of the suggestion was ‘not clear’.

The First Minister sparked anger after she said no to a request for a meeting with David Lidington to discuss the Prime Minister’s withdrawal deal, amid a growing political crisis in the UK.

Miss Sturgeon, who has repeatedly claimed Scotland’s voice is not being heard at Westminster, said it was not ‘clear’ what would be discussed at the meeting and that the invitation had been received too late, despite it being made at 6pm the evening before.

She was accused of acting like a ‘spoilt child’ over the move – while critics claimed it proved her priority is to create more ‘grievance’ in a bid to secure a second independence referendum.

Mr Lidington was in Edinburgh to meet Scottish businesses following the publication of the Brexit deal – and used his visit to slap down the SNP leader over her claims that European leaders would be ‘willing’ to renegotiate, and her latest bid to break up the UK.

Speaking yesterday, Mr Lidington hit out at Miss Sturgeon over her continued claims that the Scottish Government is being ignored in Brexit talks.

He said: ‘British ministers from the Prime Minister down have listened to the First Minister and her team. I saw the First Minister myself just a week ago.

‘The Prime Minister phoned Nicola Sturgeon after the Cabinet meeting concluded on Wednesday night and I offered a further meeting today which they turned down – they didn’t want that.’

Within minutes of the revelation, Miss Sturgeon took to Twitter to confirm that she had snubbed Mr Lidington after earlier this week stating that she and Scottish ministers must be given more of a say in how the withdrawal deal plays out. The First Minister said she was not aware why the Cabinet Office Minister had asked to meet her – and that the call to her office had come in too late, despite it being made at 6pm the evening before the proposed meeting.

Miss Sturgeon wrote: ‘This is outrageous. My office got a call around 6pm last night to offer a meeting this morning – purpose not clear.

‘I wasn’t prepared to cancel my constituency commitments at such short notice for the Scottish Government to yet again have to hear empty platitudes rather than be listened to.’

Her spokesman refused to expand on the online statement, but the First Minister later tweeted that she had carried out surgeries in Govan, with further meetings throughout the day.

Last night, Conservative MSP Donald Cameron said that Miss Sturgeon’s refusal to meet Mr Lidington proves she will ‘always complain, no matter what’.

He said: ‘Earlier this week, Nicola Sturgeon’s complaint was that she didn’t get a call from the Prime Minister when she wanted it.

‘Now, after being offered a meeting with the Prime Minister’s deputy in Edinburgh, her complaint is that she didn’t get enough notice.

‘It is a sad reflection on a First Minister who always puts grudge and grievance before constructive partnership.’

Labour MSP Neil Findlay said: ‘Brexit is a political crisis facing

‘Grudge and grievance’

everyone in the country. It is vital that both governments are ready to engage, even at the shortest of notice. We cannot have the First Minister and senior ministers from what’s left of the UK Government adopting the posture of spoilt children.’

Miss Sturgeon has claimed that the publication of the Brexit deal means that the case for Scottish independence is even greater – suggesting she could set out her timeline for another divisive vote within weeks.

Mr Lidington insisted that now is not the time for a second referendum – and that Miss Sturgeon should look at improving Scotland’s health care and education systems rather than pushing to break up the country.

He also slapped her down over claims that the EU would renegotiate a Brexit deal. Miss Sturgeon told a business dinner on thursday that she believes there is ‘a willingness to negotiate’ a better deal in the EU.

But Mr Lidington highlighted warnings from German chancellor angela Merkel and the French prime minister, Edouard Philippe, that there could be no return to the negotiating table.

He said: ‘they have both said very plainly that they are simply not going to go back – after the months that have been spent in negotiating this compromise – to reopen this and start again.’

‘Posture of spoilt children’