SNP MPS in Commons walkout over Brexit power-grab claims.

POLITICS: Clash as party leader in London thrown out of Commons over standing protest at Brexit ‘power grab’

Nicola Sturgeon said she is “right behind” her SNP colleagues who stormed out of Prime Minister’s Questions over Theresa May’s “power grab”.

In an extraordinary clash with the Speaker, the party’s leader at Westminster Ian Blackford was turfed out for his standing protest against new curbs on the Scottish Parliament, which were “railroaded” through the Commons on Tuesday.

His SNP colleagues then joined him in leaving the chamber, as taunts and gestures were exchanged with Conservative MPS.

It is thought to be the first time a party has walked out en masse of the UK Parliament’s weekly showpiece in living memory, although official records of incidents are not kept.

In the four hours after the conclusion of PMQS yesterday, more than 1,000 people had signed up as SNP members, according to the party.

At PMQS, Mr Blackford demanded an immediate vote on the House sitting in private after the Conservative Government pushed through restrictions on Holyrood powers without debate.

That call was rejected by Speaker John Bercow, who said the vote could come at the end of the PMQS. Mr Blackford refused to sit down, which led to him being expelled from Commons sittings for the day and SNP MPS clearing their benches in protest.

Speaking after the walk out, Mr Blackford said: “I called for the House to sit in private – using parliament’s own procedures to ensure Scotland’s voice is heard on Brexit. Proceedings on the EU Withdrawal Bill last night were a democratic outrage and the Scottish Parliament must be respected.

“The prime minister gave a commitment that she would treat Scotland as part of a ‘union of equals’. Yet last night she pressed ahead with a power-grab in direct opposition to Scotland’s elected parliament.”

Ms Sturgeon said she is “right behind” her MPS, adding Holyrood is being “treated with contempt by Westminster and it needs to be highlighted”.

Scottish Conservative MP Kirstene Hair, who represents Angus, said the “rehearsed” stunt by the SNP showed they cared “more about headlines than achieving anything for Scotland”.

“They are the masters of manufactured grievance and the people of Scotland are sick of it,” she added.

Ministers in Edinburgh and London have been engaged in a stand-off over what should happen to powers returning to the UK after Brexit. The UK Government says 24 of the 153 repatriated powers covering devolved areas must initially be run from Westminster, while rules are drawn up to protect the British internal market.

SNP MPS were furious the section of the EU Withdrawal Bill that holds some devolved powers in Westminster was waved through without debate.

Scottish Secretary David Mundell makes a statement to the Commons today. “Even if we had had 100 hours of debate the outcome wouldn’t have changed because the SNP and Scottish Government position is exactly the same as it was on day one of this Bill,” he told the BBC.

He added while it was “unfortunate” there had been limited time for debate, the issues had been “well aired” in both Holyrood and Westminster.

gmcpherson@thecourier.co.uk

SNP MPS walk out of the House of Commons during Prime Minister’s Questions.