SNP chief Ian Blackford calls on David Mundell to quit over Brexit 'power grab'
2 min read
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford has called on Scottish Secretary David Mundell to quit amid claims of a Brexit "power grab" by the Government.
He said Mr Mundell should resign "if he cannot respect the devolution settlement".
A furious row has erupted in Scotland over the Government's plans to temporarily take back some powers which are currently devolved to the Scottish Parliament when the UK leaves the European Union.
That led to Holyrood refusing to grant consent the the Government's flagship EU Withdrawal Bill last week.
Mr Mundell then set up a possible consntitutional crisis by insisting that would not stop the legislation becoming law.
Appearing on Radio Four's Westminster Hour programme, Mr Blackford said: "It’s a very serious moment because we’re talking about a parliament that has voted pretty overwhelmingly to say that they’re not giving consent to the Withdrawal Bill.
"That’s the Scottish National Party, the Labour party, the Liberal party and the Greens. The only party outside that consensus is the Conservative party….. This is about undermining devolution. It’s about 24 areas where Westminster is going to claw back powers.
"The Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell, said that he would make sure that this would not be pushed through against the wishes of the Scottish Parliament; that we should not be in a position where we have framework agreements foisted upon us.
"I’m simply saying to David that if he cannot respect devolution, if he cannot respect the devolution settlement he should go."
Mr Blackford's comments came after Nicola Sturgeon said she was preparing to restart the debate over Scottish independence.
A long-awaited report on the economics of independence is set to be published on Friday.
Among its recommendations is thought to be the establishment of a separate Scottish currency.
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