Nicola Sturgeon 'could drop Brexit derail threat in return for seat at Brussels top table'
Nicola Sturgeon could demand a seat at the top table of the Brexit talks in return for dropping her threat to derail the UK Government’s plans for an “orderly” withdrawal from Europe, the SNP’s Westminster leader has suggested.
Ian Blackford argued that a “compromise” could be reached whereby the Scottish Parliament consents to the keystone Repeal Bill in return for Ms Sturgeon’s administration being represented in the Brussels talks.
But the MP said that “of course” the Edinburgh parliament has a veto over the legislation and demanded “mutual respect” from Theresa May’s Government.
Ms Sturgeon later said it would be “unthinkable” for the Scottish Parliament not to be asked for its consent and reiterated her demand for a seat at the Brexit negotiating table.
However, Tory sources were scathing about the demand, pointing out that the First Minister opposes the UK’s negotiating stance and has so far refused to withdraw her threat of a second independence referendum.
Although David Mundell, the Scottish Secretary, has said it is likely that Holyrood will get a vote on the Repeal Bill, he has previously warned that withholding consent threatens chaos in Scotland. It risks thousands of holes in the statute book created by EU laws that no longer apply.
The SNP offer emerged amid a looming constitutional crisis, with both the Lords and the SNP threatening to disrupt and frustrate Mrs May’s Brexit blueprint.
It is expected that the Scottish Parliament will be required to pass a Legislative Consent Motion (LCM). These give Westminster the authority to pass laws that cover devolved responsibilities and it would be unprecedented for one to be rejected.
Although the UK Government could theoretically press ahead regardless, as they are only a convention, this could create a crisis that the SNP could use to whip up anger in Scotland and support for a second referendum.
Mr Blackford told BBC Radio Four’s Today programme that he would rather discuss a compromise than “blocking” an LCM, before appearing to specify the SNP’s price for a deal.
“There are two things I’d say to Theresa May and her government: there needs to be meeting of the joint ministerial committee so the parliament in London meeting together with the governments of Belfast, of Edinburgh and Cardiff,” he said.
“And of course it is right – and many people have said this – that the Scottish Government should be represented at the talks in Brussels.”
The Ross, Skye and Lochaber MP said the Nationalists were trying to be “reasonable” and ensuring that “respect cuts both ways.” He added: “Of course that (the veto) is there but I’m not talking about that, I am talking about the spirit of compromise.”
Ms Sturgeon later urged MSPs at First Minister’s Questions to unite behind her demand that the Scottish Parliament be formally consulted through the LCM process and “this Scottish Government, democratically elected, has a seat at the negotiating table so that we can properly defend Scotland’s interests.”
