Scotland is less prepared for Brexit than the rest of the UK because of a "complacency" created by SNP ministers' high profile stance on Europe, a leading lawyer has said.
Jamie Kerr, a lawyer who specialises in migration and immigration, warned that leaving the European Union would "cause us damage, socially, culturally, and economically as well".
But he said individuals and businesses in places such as Manchester and London were more prepared for this.
He told a fringe event at the SNP annual conference in Glasgow that was because in part the high profile work of Holyrood ministers had created the impression "the Scottish Government will sort it all out".
Mr Kerr warned party activists: "I don't think we are prepared for Brexit, and in the work I do I think individuals and businesses in Scotland are less prepared than they are in the rest of the UK.
"I work across the UK, the approach in Manchester, in London, they are much more prepared than we are here.
"I think there is a complacency in Scotland and part of it I think is because the Scottish Government have been so active, we watch the ministers, the First Ministers, being very active and speaking to industry, speaking to businesses are affected.
"And in a way it makes us think 'actually it will all be fine, the Scottish Government will sort it all out'.
"I don't think that's going to be the case and I sometimes wonder if we all realise ... how steep a slope we are actually about to face because I think Brexit as a process is going to cause us damage, socially, culturally, and economically as well."
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