Gavin Newlands MP calls for Scottish Government to be represented during Brexit negotiations

Gavin Newlands, SNP MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, has directly challenged the Prime Minister to provide the Scottish Government with a seat at the negotiating table during the Brexit negotiations.

During PMQs Mr Newlands spoke of the ‘democratic outrage’ as a failed Tory candidate was appointed as a peer and given a job in the Scotland Office just days after losing his contest in the General Election.

Mr Newlands called this an ‘affront to democracy’ and demanded that the Prime Minister stops ‘treating the Scottish people with contempt and give the Scottish Government a seat in the Brexit negotiations.’

Gavin Newlands, SNP MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, said:

“It is an affront to democracy that the Prime Minister has chosen to appoint a failed Tory candidate to the House of Lords and give him a job in the Scotland Office mere days after he was rejected by the voters in a democratic vote.

“At the same time the UK Government continues to refuse the democratically elected Scottish Government a seat at the top table during the Brexit negotiations despite the fact that the Prime Minister will need the approval of the Scottish Parliament to legislate on matters relating to Brexit.

“It is estimated that a hard Brexit could cost 80,000 Scottish jobs and cost each individual £2,000. That’s why it’s vitally important that the Prime Minister fully involves the Scottish Government during the Brexit negotiations – something that the Scottish Chamber of Commerce called for yesterday.

“The Prime Minister should stop treating democracy and the Scottish people with such contempt. Instead of appointing failed Tory candidates to positions of power, she should guarantee the democratically elected Scottish Government a seat during the Brexit negotiations, helping to ensure that Scotland’s interests are protected.”

ENDS.

Statement made yesterday from the Scottish Chamber of Commerce:

"We support the First Minister’s call for the Scottish Government to play a full and integral role in the Brexit negotiations, and we also want to see wider Scottish interests, including our business community, represented in this.