Brexit meeting with Secretary of State for Scotland

Finance Secretary Derek Mackay and Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland's Place in Europe, Michael Russell have today pressed the Secretary of State for Scotland David Mundell to take the Scottish Government’s proposals to protect Scotland’s place in Europe seriously.

Speaking after the meeting Mr Russell said:

“This meeting was at the request of the UK Government.

“The Scottish Government, in its detailed, compromise proposals, has set out clearly how Scotland can stay in the European single market and which powers should come to Holyrood if the UK leaves the EU.

“Given this meeting was requested by the Scotland Office I was disappointed that they appear to have given no thought to these proposals, and made no offer on powers: despite asking for the meeting to discuss that very subject.

“There was no offer, no guarantee even that current devolved powers, presently exercised through EU membership, will be coming back to Scotland. There should be no UK Government power grab.

“Time is running out for the UK Government to show it is serious about engaging with the Scottish Government’s compromise proposals to protect Scotland from the disaster of a hard Brexit.”