Moray SNP News

SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT COMMITTEE SNUBBED BY UK MINISTERS

TORIES RUNNING SCARED OF BREXIT SCRUTINY

The UK government is showing “contempt” for Scotland’s views on Brexit after it emerged that David Davis snubbed an invite to give evidence at the Scottish Parliament’s Europe Committee – which was then followed by a similar response from his junior minister.

Europe Minister David Jones had been invited to give evidence in David Davis’ place – and set a date for his evidence session of 16th March. However, Mr Jones is now avoiding scrutiny himself – despite reportedly being set to visit Scotland that day.

Commenting, SNP MSP Richard Lochhead, who sits on Holyrood’s Europe Committee, said: 
 
“It is astonishing that with weeks to go before the triggering of Article 50, neither the Brexit Secretary nor even his junior sidekick have deemed it a priority to appear before the Scottish Parliament despite their promises to do so. 

“This is not only disrespectful to Parliament, it is disrespectful to Scotland especially when Brexit is being described as the biggest post-war challenge we have faced.

"Its failure to appear before the Holyrood committee illustrates the Tory Government’s contempt for Scotland and the will of our parliament. Not only does the Brexit Secretary avoid scrutiny at Holyrood, his junior minister cannot be bothered turning up even though he's in Scotland on the same day.”