THE UK Government has not invited Holyrood ministers to participate in post-Brexit talks, despite the Northern Ireland executive being given a seat at the table, it has been confirmed.
The Tories have committed to inviting representatives from the Northern Irish administration to be part of the UK delegation in any Brexit discussions relating to issues specific to Northern Ireland.
However, requests from Holyrood to include all devolved governments in EU withdrawal negotiations have been ignored by the UK Government.
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Scottish Brexit Secretary Michael Russell has confirmed that Scotland will not get a seat at the negotiating table after being asked about the matter by SNP MSP Linda Fabiani ay Holyrood.
The UK Government in its paper New Decade, New Approach – published this month – made clear Northern Irish officials would be included in Brexit talks.
Asked if Scottish ministers were also invited, Russell said: “Despite the offer made to the Northern Ireland executive by the UK Government, the Scottish Government has not received any invitation to take part directly in EU-UK discussions, including in relation to matters which are either devolved or where there is a specific Scottish interest.”
The snub comes after all three devolved legislatures withheld consent for Boris Johnson’s Brexit Bill.
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The Prime Minister’s government is nevertheless determined to impose the withdrawal agreement on Holyrood, Stormont and the Senedd – despite implications for devolved powers.
Tory MPs also succeeded in reversing House of Lords amendments to the Brexit Withdrawal Bill that would have given reassurances to the Scottish and Welsh governments over devolution powers.
Fabiani branded the decision by the Westminster government to omit Scotland from the talks a “disgrace”.
“The Tories have ignored Scotland over Brexit since day one – and this snub shows that they have no intention of changing tack,” she said.
“Boris Johnson is already ripping up the devolution settlement and ignoring the expressed will of the three devolved nations on his deal.
"To refuse to allow the Scottish and Welsh Governments to have a seat at the talks on our future relationship – despite making such a concession to Northern Ireland – is a disgrace.”
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The SNP MSP added: “It’s time for Scotland to make our own decisions.”
A UK Government spokesperson said: “International trade negotiations are reserved to the UK Government, and we will negotiate on behalf of the whole of the UK. We will continue to work closely with all of the devolved administrations.”
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