SNP warning over ‘power grab’ clause
HOPES of a Brexit deal between the Scottish and UK Governments faded yesterday ahead of a crunch vote on key legislation – with SNP ministers warning that the country could be entering ‘dangerous times’.
Scotland’s Brexit minister Mike Russell issued a threat to Theresa May over the EU Withdrawal Bill, insisting that the SNP was not prepared to enter into an agreement.
He said that if the UK Government failed to withdraw a key clause over powers, the country would be left facing ‘very difficult and very dangerous times’.
But Scottish Secretary David Mundell claimed the ‘door remains open’ for a lastminute deal, suggesting that Mr Russell had wanted to reach agreement but was prevented by others within his party. Scottish ministers have previously been accused of ‘playing politics’ after failing to back the EU Withdrawal Bill despite significant compromises from Westminster.
They have instead demanded that Clause 11 be scrapped, with Nicola Sturgeon claiming it amounts to a ‘power grab’. The clause allows for certain powers to be returned to Westminster instead of Edinburgh, Belfast and Cardiff. The UK Government denies the claim, insisting instead that Scotland will receive a number of new powers following the country’s departure from the EU.
Speaking yesterday, Mr Russell again called for UK ministers to remove the clause. He told Holyrood’s rural environment and connectivity committee: ‘The constitutional position is very clear. If the Scottish parliament resolves not to grant an LCM [legislative consent motion ] which has been requested, then the UK Government must withdraw the part of the Bill for which it has requested it.’
Mr Russell added: ‘I would expect and hope that the UK Government will now withdraw clause 11 from the Bill as they are required to by the constitutional settlement under which we live. If they refuse to do so, then we are going into very difficult and very dangerous times.’
The EU Withdrawal Bill will return to the House of Commons on Tuesday for a final vote on amendments before going back to the House of Lords. It is understood that any amendments to be agreed between the UK and Scottish Governments would have to be made by then.
Mr Mundell told the Commons yesterday that ministers had already made ‘significant amendments’ in order to gain support from Holyrood, insisting he was ‘disappointed’ that this had gone unnoticed.
He noted that the Welsh Government, which was also hesitant at first, decided to grant consent following the UK Government’s work to amend the legislation.
In a letter to the UK Government, Mr Russell says it ‘must now explain how – not if – it proposes to reflect the views of the Scottish parliament.’