‘Triple mandate’ to protect our place in Europe

Brexit: Minister Michael Russell says SNP has a right to block Government plans to trigger Article 50

Scotland’s Brexit minister has said he cannot imagine any circumstances in which SNP MPs would vote in favour of triggering the process of leaving the European Union.

The party has a “triple mandate” to take steps to protect Scotland’s place in Europe, which would justify blocking the UK Government’s plans to trigger Article 50, Michael Russell said.

His comments come as UK health secretary Jeremy Hunt insisted MPs will fall into line when it comes to backing the process.

Mr Russell, speaking on BBC Scotland’s Sunday Politics Scotland programme, said calls from other parties for the UK to remain in the single market after Brexit – a key Scottish Government demand – “bode well” for the SNP working with others.

“It’s good to see a view emerging that at the very least membership of the single market must be paramount in our position,” he said.

But when asked if there were any circumstances in which the SNP’s 54 MPs would vote to start the exit process, he said: “I can’t imagine what those would be.

“We don’t know the UK position, so it is possible there could be a complete capitulation on all the positions they have held up to now.

“I think it would be very difficult to imagine what that would be.”

The SNP’s “triple mandate” includes its manifesto commitments at the 2016 Scottish election, Scotland’s majority vote in favour of Remain, and Scottish Parliament support for efforts to protect Scotland’s place in Europe.

Mr Russell said the Scottish Government is still deciding whether to become an active participant in the appeal against the court ruling that Parliament must vote on whether Article 50 can be triggered.

The Welsh Government has already announced it is to apply to have a voice.

Mr Russell said it was a “possibility” the court could be asked to rule that legislative consent for Brexit from Holyrood is necessary.

He added: “The Welsh First Minister has made it very clear on many occasions, and we support him on this, that there should be a role for all the parliaments in these islands.”