SNP: Brexit walkout was just the start
The SNP is to demand emergency legislation to halt the Brexit Bill amid claims Scotland is being squeezed out of the negotiations.
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford led a walk-out of his MPs during Prime Minister’s Questions last week over the Government’s handling of the Brexit bill.
Senior party sources have said the stunt was just the first of a series of tactical moves being planned by the SNP to frustrate the UK Government’s bid to get Brexit through the Commons.
It is expected the SNP will use all the procedural tools available to them to slow down or delay votes and debates unless Theresa May gives more consideration to Scotland.
The UK Government argues the EU Withdrawal Bill enhances devolution as it hands Holyrood more powers.
But Mr Blackford said the problem is that the powers coming back from Brussels are not being passed on to Holyrood by Westminster.
He said: “SNP MPs will use our debate tomorrow to make the case for emergency legislation to the Brexit Bill — we must ensure that Scotland is not ignored as we leave the EU.
“Proceedings on the EU Withdrawal Bill last week were a democratic outrage — and the Scottish Parliament must be respected.”
Meanwhile, SNP MP Pete Wishart has warned of more disruption at Westminster.
He said: “We are going to see more weeks like this.
“If we were to do this again for the next few weeks we would be in an ideal place to have an early look at independence and see what our prospects are for a referendum.”
Scottish Conservative MP Kirstene Hair said: “The statement given by the Secretary of State for Scotland last Thursday demonstrated why the SNP prefer stunts to proper debate.
“David Mundell took questions for 90 minutes and all it illustrated was that the SNP are relying on fake claims and hyperbole.”