Brexit Bill still threatened as Nats disagree over powers
SNP ministers yesterday ramped up their threat to derail Brexit after talks with the UK Government.
Brexit Minister Michael Russell said the Scottish Government still intended to recommend MSPs do not approve the EU Withdrawal Bill, introduced by Theresa May in the Commons last month.
He also insisted that it would be ‘extraordinary and unprecedented’ if a vote on the issue at Holyrood was overruled by Westminster.
His comments came after he and Deputy First Minister John Swinney held talks with First Secretary of State Damian Green and Scottish Secretary David Mundell in Edinburgh.
Mr Green said he expects Holyrood to become more powerful as a result of the UK leaving the EU. But the Scottish Government is not willing to accept some powers going to Westminster to allow for a UK-wide framework in areas such as farming and fisheries.
Last night, Mr Russell said: ‘Today was a useful opportunity for an exchange of views between ourselves and the UK Government on Brexit and the repatriation of powers it will involve.
‘But following today’s meeting we remain absolutely clear that, as things stand, we will not recommend to the Scottish parliament that it gives its consent to the EU Withdrawal Bill.
‘The Bill as currently drafted is impractical and unworkable.
‘It is a blatant power grab which would take existing competence over a wide range of devolved policy areas, including aspects of things like agriculture and fishing, away from Holyrood, giving them instead to Westminster and Whitehall.
‘That means that unless
‘Impractical and unworkable’