Think tank warns of ‘constitutional crisis’

The UK faces a “fullblown constitutional crisis” unless all nations of the UK agree on the Government’s approach to Brexit, a leading think tank has warned.

In a message to Theresa May as she hosts the leaders of the devolved administrations for talks, the Institute for Government (IfG) said the four governments should agree the “core planks” of the UK’s negotiating position before the Prime Minister triggers article 50, formally starting the Brexit process.

The report acknowledged the difficulties in reaching consensus between Mrs May, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Welsh leader Carwyn Jones and Northern Ireland’s Arlene Foster and her deputy Martin McGuinness, but warned of a “serious breakdown in relations” if agreement was not reached.