Sturgeon criticises May for giving DUP greater role than Scotland

The first minister has chided Theresa May for giving the DUP a greater role in Brexit talks than the devolved administrations.

In a letter sent yesterday, Ms Sturgeon raised concerns about the extra funding for Northern Ireland that has not led to further payments to Scotland.

Mrs May needs the support of DUP, which props up her minority government, to get her Brexit deal through.

Writing before the Speaker moved to block Mrs May’s unchanged deal going before MPs for a third time, Ms Sturgeon described reports of a possible offer to the DUP in order to gain support for her deal as “concerning”.

“There must be no question of one political party – the DUP – being represented in talks on the future trade relationship between the UK and EU when other political parties and devolved governments are not,” she said.

She added: “The UK Government cannot continue to favour Northern Ireland over the other devolved administrations for short-term political gain and we expect any future funding to be allocated in a fair and transparent manner.”

The SNP said the UK Government’s proposals to the DUP “appear to involve a serious curtailment of the powers of the Scottish Parliament”.

“Many of the relevant rules fall within devolved competence and therefore it is not in the gift of the UK Government to unilaterally constrain the powers of the Scottish Parliament in order to strike a deal with the DUP,” she said.

The first minister also reiterated her support for holding another vote on leaving the EU.