Call for all parties to speak as one

Scotland’s Brexit minister has called on rival parties to unite and “speak with one voice” in a bid to keep the UK in the single market as political turmoil continued over Britain’s departure from the EU.

Mike Russell said there was “overwhelming support” for this both at Holyrood and among the public as he urged Labour and the Tories to back the whole UK remaining in both the European single market and customs union.

He spoke out as Prime Minister Theresa May was seeking urgent talks with Northern Irish leaders after the UK Government’s attempts to settle the Irish border issue failed to reach agreement.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said she was clear the UK should not be divided by “different deals for different home nations” in the wake of the UK Government’s efforts to make progress on Brexit talks.

Nicola Sturgeon said: “The Scottish Tories seem more interested in appeasing the DUP than in standing up for Scotland’s best interests.

“Scotland’s interests demand continued single market membership.”

Meanwhile, Mr Russell recalled that days after the vote to leave the EU in June 2016 Ms Davidson had said staying in the single market should be the “over-riding priority” for the country.

“I don’t think that has changed,” he told MSPs at Holyrood.