Russell ‘vetoing’ Brexit co-operation

Scotland’s Brexit secretary Mike Russell has been accused of attempting to “veto” co-operation between the Scottish and UK governments over the Brexit negotiations – despite his claim that he is being “kept in the dark” by Michael Gove.

Mr Russell was updating MSPS about Joint Ministerial Meetings between the devolved parliaments and the UK Government, which he said were “increasingly difficult”. He said while he recognised the UK Government’s electoral mandate for Brexit, the “mandate we received to give Scotland a right to choose” had not been accepted, and without such “mutual recognition” there could be “no trust” around the future trade negotiations with the EU.

Mr Russell’s comments prompted Tory and Liberal Democrat MSPS to accuse him of attempting to “veto” negotiations with the UK Government.

Conservative MSP Donald Cameron said Mr Russell’s statement contained “more grievance and grandstanding in a week when the Scottish Government has excelled at such practices”.

He said he had expected Mr Russell’s statement to contain “factual matters and detailed proposals about the practicalities of the next 12 months”.

“It seems incredible the Scottish Government will not engage unless its constitutional demands are met,” Mr Cameron said.

Mr Russell said the only veto being exercised was by the UK Government. He said: “I’ve made it clear how we can work together. It’s disingenuous of Mr Cameron to misrepresent that and shameful to deny the right of Scotland to choose its future.”