The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Tory MSP attacks colleagues in Westminster
Tory MSP ‘disappointed’ with UK Government’s behaviour on clause 11
A Tory MSP has taken a swipe at his Westminster colleagues for “frustrating” delays to a Brexit law that threatens Scotland’s devolution deal.
The Scottish and Welsh governments called for changes to the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill to address concerns over its impact on the devolution settlement.
David Mundell, the Scottish Secretary, told MPs in December the amendments would be made during next week’s Commons report stage, but that has now been delayed.
Scottish Conservative MSP Adam Tomkins told Holyrood he is “deeply frustrated and disappointed” the UK Government has pushed it back.
Speaking at a Scottish Parliament debate yesterday, Brexit Secretary Michael Russell said it is “unacceptable” the UK Government is waiting until the House of Lord stages to make the changes.
The Scottish and Welsh governments have already made plain they cannot consent to the Bill as it is currently drafted.
Their dispute with UK ministers centres on clause 11 of the legislation, which deals with the devolved administrations and the powers coming back from Brussels.
It would see EU responsibilities in devolved areas initially transferred to Westminster.
The UK Government said this will allow common frameworks to be created ahead of further devolution – but the first ministers of Scotland and Wales have branded it a Westminster “power grab”.
A UK Government spokeswoman said: “We have made good progress in our discussions with the Scottish Government on common frameworks and we look forward to making significant further progress over the coming months.”
Scottish Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw said he believed amendments to the bill would be brought forward but he was “not entirely persuaded” the UK Government could not have done more.
“Let us be clear, clause 11 is not acceptable to Scottish Conservatives,” he said.
Failure to reach an agreement between the two sides could result in the need for “continuity” legislation in Scotland, with Mr Russell stating he would bring forward further plans for this later in the week.
Earlier, the SNP empty-chaired Jeremy Corbyn when it hosted a cross-party summit on preventing the “devastation” that would follow on from leaving the European single market.
A statement from the SNP, Greens, Lib Dems and Plaid Cymru said: “Tory plans for an extreme Brexit represent an unprecedented threat to our economy that would destroy hundreds of thousands of jobs, and damage the incomes, livelihoods and living standards of millions of people across the UK.”