SCOTLAND’S Brexit minister has insisted the argument over post-Brexit powers risks causing “real damage” to the way people lead their lives.
Mike Russell repeated his claim that the UK Government’s current proposals were a threat to devolution ahead of further crunch talks this afternoon.
It comes amid a continuing row over the Conservatives’ flagship Brexit Bill, which the Scottish Government has accused of representing a “power grab”.
Mr Russell will meet with Theresa May’s de facto deputy David Lidington and his Welsh counterpart Mark Drakeford at a joint ministerial committee later today.
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Wales previously agreed to the UK Government’s latest offer over the return of devolved powers after Brexit, leaving Scotland – where all of Holyrood’s political parties except the Tories have rejected the plans – isolated.
Mr Russell said the current proposals would give UK ministers an “open-ended” ability to take temporary control of any of the devolved powers currently held by Brussels, and not just the 24 highlighted by Downing Street.
But he said it was still possible to reach a deal, with the Scottish Government calling for clause 11 of the Brexit Bill – which deals with the return of devolved powers – to be removed completely, or for the “present system” to be continued.
This would mean any regulations altering the powers of the Scottish Parliament would only be made with the agreement of Holyrood.
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Mr Russell said: “What I’m trying to do is to make sure devolution is protected and the way in which devolution operates is not undermined by a proposal which uniquely, for the first time ever in devolution, gives the right to UK ministers to use secondary legislation to alter the devolved competencies of the Scottish Parliament.”
He suggested the current proposals would allow UK ministers to take control over key areas, such as GM crops and potentially fracking.
And he accused the UK Government of “undermining and damaging” the fragile devolution settlement, adding: “My own view is that could lead to further damage being done.”
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Speaking to Holyrood’s finance committee, Mr Russell argued Downing Street wanted to “essentially introduce a concept” that would allow UK ministers to interfere with the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament “without seeking the consent of the parliament”.
He added: “For the people of Scotland, this is not some game amongst politicians. This is real damage to the way they live their lives.”
The minister said there were “significant differences” in how Scotland and Wales viewed devolution, as well as political differences.
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