Call for same single market status

Nicola Sturgeon has said there is “no good reason” Scotland cannot “effectively” stay in the single market, after it appeared Britain and the European Union were close to an agreement on issues surrounding the Irish border.

Although no deal has been reached, European Council president Donald Tusk said yesterday’s talks with Theresa May had seen “significant progress”.

It comes after Ireland’s deputy premier Simon Coveney said the Dublin government’s concerns over the post-Brexit border with Northern Ireland were set to be addressed fully.

Regulatory alignment could mean both sides of the island’s border following the same rules governing trade, to ensure goods continue to move freely with no checks.

The First Minister welcomed the news and called for similar status to be granted to Scotland.

She said: “While I welcome the proposed commitment for Ireland and Northern Ireland – and while the circumstances in Scotland are separate from those in Ireland – today’s developments show clearly that if one part of UK can retain regulatory alignment with the EU and effectively stay in the single market, there is no good practical reason why others cannot do the same.

“Any special status for Northern Ireland would make a similar solution for Scotland even more vital.”

Picture: PA. The First Minister said special status for Northern Ireland would make a similar solution for Scotland even more vital.