The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Sturgeon gets chance to grill EU’s top negotiator
Only UK can negotiate Brexit, though, FM told
Nicola Sturgeon’s bid to take a front seat in Brexit talks is set to be boosted today as she heads to the Continent for a oneto-one with the EU’s chief negotiator.
However, the First Minister has been told in no uncertain terms by Michel Barnier that he will only negotiate with the UK Government.
The visit was revealed as the SNP demanded assurances from Tory ministers that Holyrood will not fall victim to a power grab when EU powers are repatriated to the UK.
Mr Barnier is also due to meet with Jeremy Corbyn and Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones today.
“I have always made clear that I want to listen to the different points of view in the British debate, it is only natural,” he told reporters yesterday.
“Tomorrow I will meet, at their request, Jeremy Corbyn, Nicola Sturgeon and Carywn Jones. Of course I will only negotiate with the UK Government.”
A spokesman for Ms Sturgeon, who has been pushing for a seat on the Brexit negotiating table, said: “This is an opportunity to brief Mr Barnier on Scotland’s priorities and seek to enhance our understanding of current EU position as Brexit negotiations continue.
“Our priority is protecting Scotland’s vital interests and building consensus against an extreme Brexit outside the single market, which would be potentially disastrous for jobs, investment and living standards.
“This is not about holding separate Scottish negotiations – we have always accepted the EU will only negotiate with UK, which is why we will continue to work hard to influence the UK position.”
At Prime Minister’s Questions, the SNP’s Ian Blackford called for a “cast iron guarantee” that all powers coming back to the UK that relate to devolved matters will come under the control of Holyrood.
The SNP have accused the Tories of plotting to hold returning devolved powers at Westminster, particularly those relating to agriculture and fisheries. Standing in for Theresa May at PMQs, First Secretary of State Damian Green said: “There will be no diminution of the devolved administrations’ powers and indeed that we look to devolve more powers as a result of this process.”
Speaking after PMQs, Mr Blackford, the SNP’s leader at Westminster, said “While the First Secretary of State confirmed Scotland will not see a diminution of powers, we have no details on whether the powers which fall under devolved competencies will return to Scotland.”
Ministers have previously admitted that frameworks for agriculture and fisheries may have to be administered at UK level to protect the Union’s single market.