The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
DUP MPs ‘worth more than Ronaldo’
Democratic Unionist Party MPs are now worth more than footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, an SNP MP has said, as the government’s deal with the Northern Irish party came under fire.
The SNP’s Alison Thewliss led criticism of the government’s £1.5billion confidence and supply arrangement with the DUP. Labour also warned that trust could be eroded among other political parties.
Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire insisted that the government would remain impartial and continue to govern in the interest of all communities in Northern Ireland.
Ms Thewliss said: “We’re now in the slightly odd position where each DUP MP is worth more than Ronaldo. Does the secretary of state agree with Jonathan Powell that it is now impossible for the UK Government to be even-handed in Northern Ireland?”
SNP MP Patricia Gibson added: “Can the secretary of state not see that the UK Government’s credibility with the other constituent parts of the United Kingdom has been destroyed following this £1.5billion bribe from Northern Ireland, subverting the rules of Barnett as the price of staying in office.”
SNP spokeswoman Deidre Brock said other parties in Northern Ireland had “very serious concerns” in the wake of the DUP deal. Labour’s Kate Hollern said the deal “has been described as grubby, dangerous and desperate”. SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford has warned Theresa May not to go down the “very, very dangerous road” of ignoring the Scottish Government’s call for a seat at the Brexit negotiating table.
The Highland MP, who has replaced ousted Angus Robertson in the role, insisted the prime minister had to listen to the “democratically elected voices of the other parliaments in the UK”.
He also claimed the £1billion deal with the Democratic Unionists to prop up the Tory leader’s minority administration – which will not result in any additional money for Scotland – “undermined the union”, by pitting one part against the others.
The SNP has repeatedly demanded a direct role in EU withdrawal negotiations, while the UK Government insists the referendum was a UK franchise and that the talks will be undertaken as a UK.
Last week, Environment Secretary Michael Gove rejected the Nationalists’ idea as a non-starter, adding: “It can’t and doesn’t work that way.”
Asked how the Scottish Government would proceed in light of this stance, Mr Blackford said the two administrations needed to meet urgently.
Pressed on what steps would be taken if the proposal is simply disregarded, he added: “I think that would demonstrate we have a prime minister that is not listening.”
He told the Press and Journal: “On the basis that she has a minority, I think that would be a very, very dangerous road to go down.
“I actually don’t think it would help them in their relationship with their new friends in the DUP because this is not just about Scotland – it’s about Wales and Northern Ireland being shown respect as well.
“So I think the prime minister has got to be very, very careful and I think she would be sending completely the wrong signal if she’s not prepared to listen to the democratically elected voices of the other parliaments in the UK.”
Meanwhile, Brexit Secretary David Davis has confirmed the repeal bill, to convert EU law into UK law, will require a legislative consent motion at Holyrood.
This is not a veto as it can be overridden, but a refusal to take on board a vote of the Scottish Parliament – if it refused permission – would likely cause a disruptive constitutional crisis.
Asked how far he and his colleagues would be willing to go, Mr Blackford replied: “We are not threatening anybody.
“We will defend our interests if we need to do so, but we are trying to make
“I think the PM has got to be very, very careful”
sure that we get to a situation where we can work together for mutual benefit.”
Addressing the issue at prime minister’s questions yesterday, Mrs May said her government had been working with Scottish ministers and would continue to do so.