EU exit deal must respect devolution, says Cable

Brexit must respect Scotland’s devolution settlement, the Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable has said.

Mr Cable accused the Conservative Party of having “blundered into” leaving the EU without thinking of the consequences for the UK constitution, but stopped short of backing the Scottish Government’s demands for a seat at Brexit talks.

The Scottish and Welsh governments claim plans to keep certain EU powers in devolved areas like agriculture and the environment at Westminster are a “power grab”, and are demanding changes to the EU (Withdrawal) Bill.

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Cable said: “The Conservative government blundered into this without any preparation, any thought, any understanding of the complexities, and Scotland, together with Wales, presents a distinct challenge. The devolution settlement must be respected.”

In a separate interview with Buzzfeed, the Lib Dem leader admitted the party’s strategy of calling for a second referendum on EU membership at the general election in June “didn’t play well”.

“It came across to people as rerunning the last one, which is not what it’s about,” Mr Cable said.