Demand changes to repeal bill

0 Stephen Gethins accused Westminster of a power grab debate to accuse the UK Government of a power grab from Holyrood on the anniversary of the referendum that created the Scottish Parliament.

“On fishing, on agriculture, on energy, we were told that these powers would come back to the Scottish Parliament without touching sides,” he told the House of Commons. “So where are the full powers over fishing, agriculture, energy, education? They are being retained by this Parliament on the 20th anniversary of the devolution process.”

Jeremy Corbyn sowed further confusion over his party’s stance as a handful of his MPS were expected to rebel against a three-line whip to vote for the bill.

Frank Field said supporting the legislation was “the only option for the referendum result to be implemented. That was the wish of my constituents and that was the wish of the country.”

Mr Corbyn yesterday suggested that he was keeping the door open for continued UK membership of the single market after Brexit.

In an interview the Labour leader said he wanted companies to be able to “trade within the single market” following EU withdrawal, and said it was “open for discussion” whether this goal would be achieved by formal membership or through a trade deal.

However, a Labour spokesman later clarified that the party’s position was to leave the single market after a postbrexit transition phase.

Meanwhile, it emerged that MPS will be given a vote on the £1 billion pact between the Tories and DUP, which is keeping Theresa May’s minority government in power.