Promise of meeting to talk Brexit falls short

Labour and the SNP say the promise of a meeting between UK ministers and devolved administrations to discuss Brexit falls short of their demands.

In a letter to shadow Scottish secretary Lesley Laird, the First Secretary of State Damian Green said he plans to reconvene the Joint Ministerial Committee (EU Negotiations) in the autumn.

Ms Laird had written to Scottish Secretary David Mundell last Friday calling for the JMC to meet within three weeks. The forum has not met since February, prompting complaints from the Scottish Government. Ms Laird has demanded a place on the JMC, and called for a date be set.

Meanwhile, Scotland’s Brexit minister will today call for a “radical shift” in how the UK government deals with the devolved nations.

In an address to the British Irish Association, Michael Russell will say greater involvement from the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish administrations is needed to avoid “themostdamagingconsequences” of Brexit.

“The UK government must act now and make meaningful changes. Not only is it within their gift to do so – it is also in their interests,” he will say.