SNP ministers have officially shelved a threat to withhold consent from any UK Brexit legislation.
Holyrood unanimously backed laws aimed at finding alternatives to Britain’s current reciprocal healthcare arrangements with the EU.
Constitutional Relations Secretary Mike Russell previously insisted he “couldn’t conceive of circumstances” where the Scottish Parliament would give its blessing to Brexit legislation until the “broken” devolution system is fixed.
In September, he told MSPs: “We have made it clear that we will not introduce further legislative consent motions on Brexit bills.”
It came amid claims the UK Government had ignored the will of Holyrood by pushing ahead with Theresa May's flagship Brexit legislation without its agreement.
However, last month it emerged this stance would be reversed for the Healthcare (International Arrangements) Bill, which aims to safeguard healthcare for expats living in the EU and holidaymakers.
In a letter to David Lidington, Mrs May’s de facto deputy, Mr Russell said: “Having reflected on developments on the Healthcare (International Relations) Bill, its purpose in providing reassurance to those with health needs, and the risk of misunderstanding and anxiety, [Health Secretary] Jeane Freeman and I believe that the Scottish Parliament should exceptionally and without prejudice to future decisions be invited to put beyond doubt its application in Scotland through a formal legislative consent motion.”
Scottish Tory constitution spokesman Adam Tomkins previously said the climb down demolished Mr Russell’s spin.
He said: “You don’t have to back Brexit to ensure it is implemented in an orderly manner. If Mr Russell now agrees that consent should be given in this case, he should grant it in others too.
“The SNP’s spin about a power grab was always nonsense. Mr Russell should now dump the SNP’s political game playing on Brexit once and for all.”
MSPs have now voted to give their consent to the legislation.
A motion lodged by Ms Freeman read: “That the Parliament agrees that the relevant provisions of the Healthcare (International Arrangements) Bill, introduced in the House of Commons on 26 October 2018, relating to powers to make healthcare payments; healthcare agreements and data processing, in so far as these matters fall within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament or alter the executive competence of the Scottish Ministers, should be considered by the UK Parliament.”
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