SNP MP: Brexit ‘hiccup’ remark appalling

SNP MP Stephen Flynn has described remarks by Scottish Conservative candidate Douglas Lumsden over Brexit “appalling”.

Mr Lumsden, who is standing in Aberdeen Central and on the north-east list, told BBC Newsnight Brexit is “out of the way now”.

The Aberdeen City Council co-leader also said “there were some hiccups” but “we’re through that”.

Mr Flynn, who represents Aberdeen South, accused Mr Lumsden of having his “head in the sand” over the impact of Brexit.

But Mr Lumsden said he would take “no lectures from the SNP on Brexit”, citing a report by the London School of Economics which projected the economic costs of Scottish independence are two to three times greater than the impact of Brexit.

Mr Flynn said: “To describe the hardship businesses have suffered because of Brexit as a hiccup is downright appalling and shows that the Tories are completely out of touch.

“To even suggest we’re ‘through that’ is as ignorant as it is misleading – key exports have plummeted, fishermen have been betrayed, freedom of movement has been binned, violence has erupted in Northern Ireland and there is still no deal for our financial services.

“The people of Scotland didn’t vote for this Brexit mess and when Douglas Lumsden removes his head from the sand he should hang it in shame for defending the indefensible.”

Mr Lumsden claimed once the Covid-19 restrictions are removed, “Scottish companies will begin to trade not only with the EU but right across the world as new exciting opportunities for trade will emerge”.