First Minister uses trip south of the border to call on Theresa May not to pursue ‘hard’ Brexit

Nicola Sturgeon has called on Theresa May to heal Brexit divisions by adopting the “obvious consensus position” of keeping the UK in the single market.

The First Minister told a Sheffield University audience that the referendum did not provide a mandate for the UK Government to pursue a “hard” Brexit.

She said the solution is to stay wholly in the single market, which will allow the free movement of people but could involve having to pay into the EU budget without having a say over policy.

Her comments are likely to anger Brexiteers who voted to leave the EU to curb immigration from other member states.

Speaking at Sheffield Political Economy Research Institute, Ms Sturgeon said: “I completely accept that there was a narrow majority in Wales and England for leaving the European Union.

“However, I don’t believe it can be concluded that there was a majority anywhere for leaving the single market.

“In fact, voters were often told that leaving the EU did not necessarily require leaving the single market.

“So there is no meaningful democratic mandate for what is generally known as a hard Brexit.

“I do not believe that there is a parliamentary majority for hard brexit, either. In those circumstances – surely – single market membership is the obvious consensus position.”

She added single market membership “surely provides the best basis for minimising the damage that Brexit will do to higher education”.

“It will enable universities to continue to collaborate within the European Research Area,” the SNP leader said.

“It will give security to the students and staff who do us the honour of coming here to study and work.

“And it might just mitigate the reputational damage that Brexit has already caused to the UK, in a sector which competes for the very best people around the world.”

Earlier, David Davis, the cabinet minster responsible for the UK’s exit from the EU, refused to reveal details on the UK Government’s Brexit aims, saying it could hamper the negotiations.

He told MPs that whatever the Supreme Court decides, the Government remains on course to deliver on the timetable promised by the Prime Minister.

Mr Davis added: “It’s likely that any hearing will be scheduled in the Supreme Court in early December. We would hope the judgment would be provided soon after.

“This timetable remains consistent with our aim to trigger Article 50 by the end of March next year.”

He lashed out at attempts by opposition MPs, including former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, to secure a second referendum, claiming they were attempting to “thwart” Brexit.

He said a fresh plebiscite on the terms of exit would encourage the rest of the EU to impose “impossibly difficult conditions” in an attempt to ensure a vote to reverse the Leave decision.

“In other words, the whole approach is designed to wreck the negotiations,” he said.

Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said the Government’s approach was “unravelling” in an “ugly way” – stepping up his attack on ministers over the treatment of the judiciary following the High Court ruling.

Meanwhile, Scotland’s Health Secretary Shona Robison has warned that the NHS’s recruitment crisis will be compounded by Brexit.

The Dundee East MSP is expected to tells MSPs today: “The fact that the UK Government can’t give simple assurances that they will be welcome to stay in this country if we leave the EU is, frankly, unacceptable.

“This is hampering efforts now to recruit highly-skilled medical staff and care workers from outside this country – something that is extremely concerning in a highly competitive international recruitment market.

“There is a real risk we will lose many individuals, if we cannot provide reassurance on tuition fees, free movement and future career opportunities.”

About 1,400 doctors working in Scotland are from other EU countries, as well as about 4% of nurses and midwives and 2% of dentists in training.