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| MSP Margaret Mitchell backs UK leaving the European Union | MSP Margaret Mitchell backs UK leaving the European Union |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| A Conservative MSP has become the first Holyrood politician to speak publicly in favour of the UK leaving the European Union. | A Conservative MSP has become the first Holyrood politician to speak publicly in favour of the UK leaving the European Union. |
| Margaret Mitchell, the party's justice spokeswoman, told BBC Scotland the EU was "unwieldy" and expensive. | Margaret Mitchell, the party's justice spokeswoman, told BBC Scotland the EU was "unwieldy" and expensive. |
| Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson 'cautiously' supports the UK remaining in the EU. | |
| But she has also made it clear that other Tory MSPs are free to take a different view. | But she has also made it clear that other Tory MSPs are free to take a different view. |
| A UK referendum on whether to remain a member of the EU will take place on 23 June. | A UK referendum on whether to remain a member of the EU will take place on 23 June. |
| Analysis by Glenn Campbell, BBC Scotland political correspondent | |
| It's not exactly a Boris Johnson-style bombshell but it's not without significance. | |
| Not only is Margaret Mitchell the first Conservative MSP to publicly back Brexit - she is also the first Holyrood politician of any party to do so. | |
| Other MSPs may follow her example. But some of the staunchest Eurosceptics in her own party, like Murdo Fraser and Alex Johnstone, have already said they'll back the "in" campaign. | |
| The leaders of all five Holyrood parties also support the UK's continued membership of the EU. | |
| For one or two MSPs minded towards an "out" vote, it's a question of priority. | |
| They judge that their campaign priority is the Holyrood election in May and intend to put all their effort into that before thinking about expending energy on June's EU referendum. | |
| Mrs Mitchell, a former Scottish Conservative leadership contender, said she was open to persuasion but at the moment she would vote to leave. | Mrs Mitchell, a former Scottish Conservative leadership contender, said she was open to persuasion but at the moment she would vote to leave. |
| The Central Scotland MSP told the BBC: "I'm not looking at renegotiation. I think it would be a vote to leave because there are too many advantages of coming out and too many restrictions about staying in. | The Central Scotland MSP told the BBC: "I'm not looking at renegotiation. I think it would be a vote to leave because there are too many advantages of coming out and too many restrictions about staying in. |
| "The free movement of people doesn't look to me as though it's something that's easily resolved. | "The free movement of people doesn't look to me as though it's something that's easily resolved. |
| "This is a union that's increasing all the time - it's unwieldy. Twenty-eight member states trying to make decisions that are in the best interests of each member state really doesn't work." | "This is a union that's increasing all the time - it's unwieldy. Twenty-eight member states trying to make decisions that are in the best interests of each member state really doesn't work." |
| Another Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone, who is known for his Eurosceptic views, has said the UK should press for change while remaining within the European Union. | Another Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone, who is known for his Eurosceptic views, has said the UK should press for change while remaining within the European Union. |
| He said: "There's probably very few people are as Eurosceptic as I am. But my problem is that I know Europe will continue to be a problem for Britain whether we are in or out. | He said: "There's probably very few people are as Eurosceptic as I am. But my problem is that I know Europe will continue to be a problem for Britain whether we are in or out. |
| "So, if I want to see a failing European project turned around, if I want to see an end to fiscal and political convergence, if I want to see a Europe that works as a trading block, then I think it's in our interest to be on the inside, arguing our case for change instead of being on the outside, allowing Europe to have its head." | "So, if I want to see a failing European project turned around, if I want to see an end to fiscal and political convergence, if I want to see a Europe that works as a trading block, then I think it's in our interest to be on the inside, arguing our case for change instead of being on the outside, allowing Europe to have its head." |