The Scottish First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon has claimed that she has a veto on when Britain leaves the European Union.
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In a series of TV interviews yesterday, Ms Sturgeon did not rule out another vote in 2017 if the Scottish Government was “not on board” with negotiations when Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty – the formal mechanism for leaving the European Union – is triggered.
The SNP leader said on Sunday that there “might be” a situation in which Scotland remains in the European Union and a member of the United Kingdom, even after the other home nations have left the institution.
“That certainly appeared to be an interpretation that some put on the Prime Minister’s remarks after the meeting”, she said.
“It puts me in a strong position, of course it puts a responsibility on my shoulders to think through what the options are”.
“Scotland didn’t vote for any of those consequences, we voted by a significant margin to avoid those consequences and to stay in”, said Sturgeon.
The Prime Minister pledged to “listen to options” from the Scottish Government, and added after the meeting at Bute House: “I won’t be triggering Article 50 until I think that we have a United Kingdom approach and objectives for negotiations”.
The UK backed Brexit overall in the 23 June referendum mainly due to voters in England and Wales, but voters in Scotland heavily backed remaining part of the EU.
Why did Theresa May set up a Brexit department if she is now handing over the power to trigger Article 50 to Nicola Sturgeon?
Brexit: How could Scotland stay in the EU?
Ms Sturgeon said: “We’re in uncharted territory, and when you are in uncharted territory with effectively a blank sheet of paper in front of you, then you have the opportunity to try to think things that might have previously been unthinkable and shape the future”.
She said this morning: ‘My position is there might be.
Scottish voters took part in an independence referendum in September 2014 that saw 55 percent of voters backing Scotland’s continued membership of the United Kingdom which was established in 1707.
“I think there are opportunities”.
David Mundell, the Scottish Secretary has described the idea as “fanciful”, but a bullish Ms Sturgeon insisted it could be possible.
He told the Murnaghan programme on Sky that no-one could have a veto over Brexit and the UK Government would not ignore the referendum result.
Mr Davis said he wanted to trigger Article 50 “early next year” and the timetable had to allow for the UK’s “huge negotiation” and for International Trade Secretary Liam Fox to strike deals around the world. They can’t have a veto – there are 17.5 million people who have given us a mandate.
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“I’m willing to listen to options and I’ve been very clear with the First Minister today that I want the Scottish government to be fully engaged in our discussion”, said May, following the meeting.
