SNP: Obsession with immigration is leading UK government into danger

THERESA MAY was today warned that the Government’s “obsession” with cutting immigration was leading it into a “very dangerous place”.

Scottish Brexit minister Mike Russell issued the warning before crunch talks between the Prime Minister and the leaders of the devolved administrations. Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, is demanding that the Govern- ment carve out a special deal for Scotland, which would see it remain in the single market while quitting the customs union with the rest of the UK.

If Mrs May agreed to such a move, she would inevitably face pressure to support similar arrangements for London, which also voted strongly to Remain.

Mr Russell stressed that EU freedom of movement was strongly supported in Scotland. He told BBC radio: “The obsession with immigration, which is driving the UK Government, is driving the UK Government into a very dangerous place.”

Under the Scottish government’s plans, documentation of EU migrants would show they are allowed to live in Scotland but not elsewhere in the UK.

Ahead of the talks at a Joint Ministerial Committee meeting in Cardiff, Mr Russell warned “we haven’t got anywhere close to” a joint position between the UK Government and the devolved administrations. The Supreme Court ruled last week that Brexit is a matter for the Westminster government and it did not have to give a say to the Scottish Parliament or devolved assemblies.”

Europhile Tory MP Nicky Morgan today warned MPs not to block Article 50, to start the process of quitting the EU, as dozens of Labour, Lib Dem and SNP MPs are threatening. She wrote on ConservativeHome: “Failing to pass it wouldn’t stop the clock on Brexit. But it would stir up more public anger, create demand for more extreme views to be voiced, and be a nail in the coffin for our parliamentary democracy.”

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is facing a revolt after ordering his MPs to vote for Article 50, which has led to resignations from the shadow cabinet.

Mrs May has sought to thrash out common positions on Brexit with the devolved administrations. But she warned they “will not agree on everything” at today’s talks and said MPs from around the UK would get a say at Westminster.

Proposals to remain in the single market have also been put forward by Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones and Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood. Sinn Fein leader Michelle O’Neill said the Tories were trying to impose Brexit against the will of the people in Northern Ireland.