THE “confusion” over the UK Government’s position on the Irish border relating to Brexit has made the prospect of the Scottish Government supporting the flagship EU Withdrawal Bill even more remote, Michael Russell has suggested.
The Scottish Government’s Brexit minister will be in Whitehall today for more talks with Damian Green, the First Secretary of State, and David Mundell, the Scottish Secretary, to try to resolve differences over the legislation, which the SNP administration has labelled a “power-grab” by UK ministers.
Speaking ahead of the Joint Ministerial Committee, which also involves Wales and Northern Ireland, Mr Russell said while the Scottish Government welcomed any positive developments on Brexit, there remained “huge uncertainty” following last week’s announcement in Brussels.
He called for “urgent clarity” on the implications of last Friday’s deal for the other nations of the UK on the issue of so-called UK-wide frameworks, in particular in key areas like agriculture and state aid.
In a letter to Mr Green, Mr Russell says: “In effect, what is set out in the proposed UK-EU agreement would allow Northern Ireland to opt for different arrangements, whereas our discussions have proceeded explicitly on the basis set out in the agreed principles that it would be the aim of ‘all parties to agree where there is a need for common frameworks and the content of them.’”
He adds: “It is hard to see how any effective and enduring agreement can be concluded on common frameworks if it is not clear to which parts of the UK such frameworks will apply.
“The Scottish Government’s firm view is that any special arrangements for Northern Ireland must also be available to the other UK nations; otherwise we risk being placed at a competitive disadvantage.”
Following last week’s veto by Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionists of Theresa May’s initial proposal to the EU, the Prime Minister has made clear that nothing will undermine the “constitutional and economic integrity of the United Kingdom”.
Meanwhile, senior Whitehall sources said they were expecting "solid progress" at Tuesday’s JMC. They expressed growing confidence that Holyrood would finally come round to support the Government’s Withdrawal Bill.
"As soon as powers start going to Holyrood the power-grab claims will become yesterday's argument," stressed one insider.
Mr Mundell has promised that the Government will amend the Bill at Report Stage in the New Year to allay any fears that Scottish devolution could be harmed by the Brexit process. The Secretary of State has denied the charge of a power-grab and insisted that while some powers transferring from the EU to the UK will be subject to common frameworks, Holyrood can expect to see a “powers bonanza”.
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