NICOLA Sturgeon’s government will “not have a block” on the UK’s deal to leave the European Union, Downing Street has made clear, saying that the process for Brexit will ultimately be a decision for the UK Government.
On Friday, Theresa May on her first official trip as Prime Minister spoke of wanting a “UK approach” to the triggering of Article 50 and the two-year process thereafter of Britain uncoupling itself from the EU. She was clear that she wanted the First Minister and her colleagues in Edinburgh to be a full part of the process.
Ms Sturgeon said this suggestion of a unified approach to Brexit was being interpreted as handing the SNP administration a veto over any putative deal with Brussels, which placed her and her government “in a strong position”.
But over the weekend, David Davis, the Brexit secretary, made clear that, in his view, Scotland would not be able to stop any deal negotiated by the UK.
Mr Davis said: “They can't have a veto because there are 17.5 million people, who have given us a mandate; they have told us what to do, we can't disobey it. But what we can do is to try to do what we can to minimise any disruption or turbulence or problems."
Asked about the Scottish government having a veto, the PM’s spokeswoman said: “What the PM talked about was a UK approach…She went to Scotland as her first visit to make clear she wants to have a close working relationship with the Scottish Government and the FM.
“She underlined there she wants to engage closely with the Scottish Government on the discussions and negotiations for leaving the EU; to do so in a constructive and positive manner.
“But the point I would also make is that the PM has been clear that leaving the EU is what the British people voted for. This is a government that is committed to delivering that, of respecting the will of people across the United Kingdom and, therefore, it should not be interpreted that she was suggesting Scotland had some kind of block on this.”
Asked what a “UK approach” meant, therefore, the spokeswoman made clear Mrs May was approaching the issue with a “constructive mindset” and wanted to engage the Scottish Government fully in the process. “Let’s see where that takes us,” she said.
Asked if Mrs May would then have the final decision over the UK approach to Brexit, the spokeswoman replied: “It’s a decision for the UK Government.”
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