Communities can thrive, Sturgeon told

The Scottish Conservatives accused First Minister Nicola Sturgeon of displaying a “breathtaking contempt" for fishing communities following the Brexit vote.

Peter Chapman used the Holyrood debate on the rural economy yesterday to make the case for the Scottish fishing industry to thrive outwith the trading bloc.

Mr Chapman said: “Fishermen across Scotland, particularly those in my patch of the north-east, voted almost to a man for Leave.

“The fervour with which Nicola Sturgeon has attempted to deny the political and legal reality around the EU result – claiming that Scotland could stay in – shows a breathtaking contempt for fishing communities.

“Fishermen view this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”