My deal is in Scotland’s interest, PM tells Sturgeon

THERESA May has told Nicola Sturgeon that her Brexit agreement is in Scotland’s interests – and warned that failure to back it will make no deal more likely.

The Prime Minister and First Minister yesterday had a ‘full and frank exchange of views’ during stormy talks in London.

But Mrs May insisted it would not be possible to get a better deal out of Brussels.

She also said the deal will improve the fortunes of Scots fishermen and let the UK ‘take back control of our waters’, while giving more clarity to business.

They met in Mrs May’s Commons office, which meant Miss Sturgeon was denied the opportunity to be photographed in front of Number 10.

The meeting came after Miss Sturgeon talked up the prospect of forming a ‘coalition of opposition’ with Jeremy Corbyn and other leaders to derail Brexit and topple Mrs May.

Afterwards, a Downing Street spokesman said: ‘The Prime Minister made clear that we are negotiating a deal with the EU that works for all parts of the United Kingdom – Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland – and delivers on the result of the referendum.

‘The deal will give Scottish businesses the clarity and certainty they need to protect jobs and living standards and see us take back control of our waters, improving the fortunes of our fishermen.

‘The Prime Minister also emphasised her firm belief that the withdrawal agreement is the best deal that could have been negotiated and is in the interests of the entire United Kingdom.’

Miss Sturgeon said she had shared a ‘full and frank exchange of views’.

During the talks, Mrs May said she does not believe the EU will be willing to negotiate a better deal if the agreement is voted down by MPs.

A No10 source said: ‘The PM urged the FM to listen to Scottish employers and to back the agreement reached with the EU. The truth is that SNP plans just make a no-deal Brexit more likely.’

Mrs May’s pledge on fishing came after she told Scottish Tory MPs she will deliver on their demands. She is now expected to put a firm pledge on fishing in writing to the MPs.

Before heading into the meeting with the Prime Minister, Miss Sturgeon bumped into Boris Johnson in a Commons corridor, with the former Foreign Secretary wishing her ‘good luck’. She also held talks with opposition leaders including Mr Corbyn and Liberal Democrat boss Vince Cable.

Speaking to the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg, Miss Sturgeon said the ‘progressive’ opposition parties could unite to bring down the deal – and even form a coalition after the next general election.

She added: ‘It is important that we decide not just what we don’t like just now but also what we think should be the alternatives; a coalition of opposition where we come together and coalesce around what should happen now.’

The First Minister said she agreed with Mr Corbyn that the deal is a bad deal and no deal ‘should not be presented as the only alternative’, saying she would look to build a majority in the Commons around a single alternative.

On the prospects of another EU referendum, Miss Sturgeon said: ‘Nobody can argue that the situation hasn’t changed fundamentally since 2016.

‘Whatever people voted for in 2016, nobody voted for the chaos and shambles we are seeing right now. So that option of another vote has to be one of the possibilities.

‘I wouldn’t go as far as to say Jeremy Corbyn has got to that position right now, where we’ve got to today is an agreement we both think the deal on the table is bad, that no deal is not an option that can be countenanced and acceptance that the next stages of all of this have to be to look at what we can coalesce around in terms of alternatives.’

Asked if this could be the start of a Government deal with Labour, she said: ‘If you look back to the last two general elections, I’ve been pretty open in saying the SNP would be willing in principle to be part of a progressive coalition that kept the Tories out of government.

‘That continues to be my position – it’s always been Labour that said they weren’t willing to work with the SNP. We might be seeing changes to that over the whole Brexit situation.’

Tory MSP Murdo Fraser said: ‘Nicola Sturgeon’s trip to London has been about one thing only; to try to scupper chances of a deal and bring about a chaotic Brexit.

‘That way she hopes to revive her flagging attempt for another referendum on independence. Everyone sees through it – apart from the current leadership of the Labour Party.’

A Labour spokesman said Mr Corbyn held a ‘constructive’ meeting with Miss Sturgeon, at which they discussed their ‘common opposition’ to the withdrawal agreement.

‘Improving fortunes of our fishermen’