Sturgeon snubbed by Number 10 over immigration powers call

Downing Street has poured cold water over Nicola Sturgeon’s demands for Scotland to get powers over immigration.

Theresa May’s spokeswoman also appeared to knock back the idea that Scotland could have a special status within the EU as the UK leaves.

With Ms Sturgeon and Mrs May due to meet next week, the Prime Minister’s spokeswoman was asked if she believed it was feasible for one part of the UK to remain in the single market while the others left.

She reiterated Mrs May’s conference message that the Westminster Government would approach leaving as the UK.

Asked if it was possible for Scotland, as suggested by the First Minister, to have powers over immigration as part of a bespoke Scottish package, the spokeswoman replied: “There is a very clear delineation between the issues that are reserved and issues that are devolved.”

Last week, the SNP leader called for Holyrood to get “substantial additional powers” including those concerned with immigration.

Meanwhile, her party seized on claims the UK Government is discussing plans to pay to keep the City of London and its financial sector in the European single market. The SNP is calling for equal openness to a deal for Scotland.

Theresa May’s cabinet is reportedly looking at paying some contributions to the EU in order to maintain “passporting rights” to allow City firms to carry on trading across the bloc and wider economic area.

Joan McAlpine MSP said it would be untenable for the Prime Minister to now claim similar arrangements could not be examined for Scotland.