Russell says Scotland must not pay the price for decision to go

If Scotland cannot save the UK from itself over Brexit it must save itself from the UK, Mike Russell has said.

Speaking at Holyrood yesterday, the Scottish Government’s Brexit Secretary said the country must not be forced to “pay the price” for the decision taken to leave the EU.

A vote on Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal was scheduled on Tuesday but cancelled as MPs prepared to reject it.

Mr Russell said: “Why should people in Scotland have to pay the price of such a catastrophic policy that they do not support, which will harm their life chances and opportunities for generations to come?

“Put bluntly, if we cannot save the UK from itself, we must find a way to save ourselves from the UK.

“Scotland does deserve better. No reasonable person looking at the clusterburach at Westminster this week can deny that.”

In his speech in Edinburgh, Mr Russell outlined the Scottish Government’s alternative proposals to Mrs May’s deal, indicating the Prime Minister had offered “false choices” throughout the Brexit process.

He said short of revoking Article 50 altogether, the Scottish Government would support holding another EU referendum, with the option of remaining provided on the ballot paper.

Mr Russell also indicated the SNP would give its backing to holding a general election.

However, he stated that any no confidence vote in the UK Government would have to be brought by the Labour Party at Westminster, as the official Opposition.

“It’s a government out of ideas, out of talent, out of time and needing to be put out of office,” he said.

If we cannot save the UK from itself, we must find a way to save ourselves from the UK. MIKE RUSSELL