SNP to take their case to London

Holyrood ministers bid to salvage some of their demands at talks with counterparts from UK’s devolved administrations

SNP ministers will today try to salvage some of their Brexit demands after London’s mayor warned Theresa May’s plans could “rip Britain apart”.

Mike Russell, the Scottish Government’s minister for leaving the European Union, is in London for the Joint Ministerial Committee alongside other politicians from other devolved administrations and the UK’s Scottish Secretary David Mundell to discuss quitting the Brussels bloc.

Key demands set out by Mr Russell and Nicola Sturgeon appeared to be ruled out by Theresa May when she confirmed her intention to ditch the European single market on Tuesday.

Membership was a key goal for the First Minister, and the Prime Minister also appeared to scupper any hopes of a separate Scottish arrangement to allow the free movement of goods, services and people.

Despite the apparent knock-backs, Fiona Hyslop, the SNP’s external affairs secretary, insisted the Scottish Government will continue to press for a “differentiated deal” to keep Scotland in the single market.

She told the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland programme: “It is technically and legally challenging but it is doable if there is the political will.

“Now the real test here is for Theresa May to determine how precious, as she used the word, is the union to her.

“We’re presenting a case which is not about trying to have a differentiated position as a separate independent country or indeed continuing EU membership.

“This is a compromise position and we expect the UK to move some way towards us, it can’t just be one-way traffic.”

It was also confirmed that Holyrood will not be given control over immigration, as revealed by The Courier yesterday.

Questioned in the Commons by SNP MP Stuart McDonald, Scotland’s sole Conservative MP Mr Mundell said he would consider all “evidence-based proposals” but added: “It was quite clear within the settlement agreed in the Smith Commission that immigration would remain a reserved power.”

He also claimed that constant talk of a second independence referendum is damaging the Scottish economy and confirmed the Scottish Parliament will not lose any of its powers as a result of Brexit.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the Prime Minister’s plan to quit the single market “undoubtedly” brings the prospect of a rerun of September 2014 closer.

Sadiq Khan, the London mayor, said any deal which saw the UK leave both the single market and customs union would be a “lose-lose situation” for Britain and Europe.

He added: “A hardline approach to Brexit may hold the Conservative Party together, but it could rip Britain apart.”

Meanwhile, UK Brexit Secretary David Davis has said that while MPs and peers will get a final vote on whatever deal the UK reaches with the EU, they will not be able to stop the country leaving the EU.

Now the real test here is for Theresa Mayto determine how precious, as she used the word, is the union to her. FIONA HYSLOP SNP EXTERNAL AFFAIRS SECRETARY

Fiona Hyslop wants Scotland to remain in the EU single market.