SCOTTISH Brexit Minister Michael Russell has accused his UK counterpart of a lacking clarity on plans to leave the EU following a joint meeting aimed at giving the devolved administrations greater input into the process.

Brexit Secretary David Davis hailed the “constructive and amicable” meeting with his counterparts and laid out plans for the UK Government to hold monthly meetings of the EU Negotiation Joint Ministerial Committee.

Mr Davis said it that enables the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive to share analysis as part of a “two-way information flow”.

But Mr Russell urged Westminster to provide “greater clarity and transparency” on Brexit ahead of the next scheduled meeting.

Following the meeting, Mr Russell said: “Although it is good that the process of involving the Scottish Government and the other devolved administrations is under way, more than four months after the referendum the UK Government has still not made its strategic intentions clear.

“There was a discussion over EU market access but we do not know whether UK ministers want to remain inside the single market or the customs union.

“This will remain a considerable problem as we continue to promote the interests of Scotland. The UK Government must provide greater clarity and transparency on its intentions.”

He added that he made it “absolutely clear” that membership of the single market “is essential for the economic prosperity of Scotland.”

The meeting It comes as the UK Government hopes the High Court judgment on how Article 50 will be triggered will be overruled on appeal to the Supreme Court next month.

Nicola Sturgeon has said Holyrood would be seeking to intervene against the attempt to overturn the High Court ruling.

She said she was not trying to veto the right of England and Wales to withdraw from the EU, but insisted the large majority of Scottish voters who backed Remain could not be “brushed aside as if they do not matter”.

Mr Davis said: “Today’s meeting was an important step in bringing the devolved administrations together with the UK Government to discuss how we can work together to get the best deal for the whole of the UK. Naturally, there are different standpoints around the table, but the meeting was constructive and amicable.

“We will meet regularly and share our latest thinking as the UK shapes its negotiating strategy.

‘We will work positively with the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive as we implement the decision of the people of the UK to leave the EU.”

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland’s First and Deputy First Ministers pledged to “take every opportunity” to highlight the region’s unique situation during the negotiations.

In a joint statement, Arlene Foster and Martin McGuinness insisted they were united on the issue. It said: “Our attendance today sends out a clear signal that we are determined to work together to champion the interests of the people we represent.

“We have received assurances from the Prime Minister down that the Northern Ireland Executive will be fully represented in the negotiating process. We will ensure that those promises are honoured.

“We will continue to take every opportunity to re-iterate our agreed priorities and to emphasise the unique nature of our situation.”