THE Scottish Government has outlined its opposition to Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal and will recommend Holyrood does not consent to it.
MPs yesterday approved the agreement by a majority of 124.
In a letter to the UK Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay, Scotland’s Constitutional Relations Secretary Mike Russell said the people of Scotland had voted “clearly and decisively” against leaving the EU, and that the Scottish Government cannot recommend to the Scottish Parliament that it gives its legislative consent to the proposals. A legislative consent memorandum has been tabled by the Scottish Government at Holyrood.
READ MORE: Majority of MPs back Boris Johnson's Brexit deal
It is rare for legislative consent to be withheld, with only nine having been rejected out of more than 320 legislative consent motions that have been tabled. However, legally, the UK Parliament can seek Royal Assent for any Bill, even if a devolved legislature withholds consent for its provisions.
The memorandum emphasises that Scotland should stay in the EU, as voted for by the public in 2016. It also stresses this position has been “reinforced” by last week’s election, in which 88% of seats were won by pro-EU candidates.
It goes on: “It cannot recommend that the Scottish Parliament consent to a Bill to give effect to an agreement which it considers will do significant damage to Scotland.”
In his letter to Barclay, Russell said the Government had lodged a legislative consent memorandum explaining the reasons for the move, and this is likely to be debated early next year.
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