First Minister hits out at ‘xenophobia’ of Brexit

Nicola Sturgeon has urged action against “xenophobia” in politics and said Scotland wants no part of Theresa May’s “despicable” hostile environment.

Speaking at the STUC conference in Dundee, the First Minister said the treatment of EU citizens is one of the most “shameful” aspects of Brexit and diversity was “to be celebrated”.

She said: “Scotland wants no part of Theresa May’s despicable hostile environment. We reject utterly the dog whistle xenophobia that is too prevalent in political discourse and we stand firm and united against the rise of the far right.

“One of the most shameful aspects of Brexit has been the treatment of EU citizens living here in our country. No-one, least of all me, pretends that Scotland is somehow immune from racism. We are not, but the message that we as leaders must send is this one - Scotland is an open country, we are a welcoming country. We want people to come to Scotland and we want people to stay in Scotland.”

She also warned the damage of any form of Brexit could not be fully mitigated. She later added there would be “nothing disorderly about Scottish independence when it happens” She is expected to make an announcement on her plans for holding a second independence referendum in the coming weeks.

0 Nicola Sturgeon said the treatment of EU citizens is shameful at the STUC conference in Dundee yesterday