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Devolved leaders call for Brexit role at Cardiff talks May to 'intensify' UK-wide Brexit work
(about 3 hours later)
Leaders of the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have pressed for a greater role in Brexit negotiations during talks with Theresa May in Cardiff. The prime minister has told the leaders of the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland that she will "intensify" work on their proposals for Brexit.
Theresa May was speaking during a meeting of the leaders in Cardiff.
The Scottish and Welsh governments have produced plans that would allow them to keep full access to the single market.The Scottish and Welsh governments have produced plans that would allow them to keep full access to the single market.
Mrs May has warned that the devolved administrations will not be given a decisive role in Brexit talks. Scotland's first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said time was "fast running out" for an agreement to be reached.
The Welsh government said its differences were "not irreconcilable". But the Welsh government said its differences with the UK government were "not irreconcilable".
But the Scottish government said ahead of the meeting that its proposals were not being taken "remotely seriously" and that a joint position with the UK government was not "anywhere close". Ahead of the Joint Ministerial Committee meeting, Mrs May had made it clear the devolved administrations would not be given a decisive role in the UK's divorce from the European Union.
Movement and trade Ms Sturgeon said after the meeting that she "remained to be convinced" that her government's proposals were being taken seriously, but welcomed the prime minister's commitment to intensify joint work on the Scottish government's proposals.
Mrs May later headed to Dublin for talks with Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Enda Kenny. She also warned that she needed to see "tangible evidence" that UK ministers will take forward the proposals for a differentiated deal on European single market membership and a review of the devolution settlement.
Mr Kenny has called for the maintenance of the current "seamless border" between Ireland and Northern Ireland, after the UK leaves the EU, amid fears that a "hard Brexit" might reimpose controls on movement and trade. Ms Sturgeon said: "The next few weeks are not going to resolve every issue of Brexit, but in terms of me being able to judge whether Scotland's voice is going to be heard at all in this process... the next few weeks are very important."
Ahead of Monday's talks in Cardiff, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said that time was running out for the prime minister to "heed the voice of Scotland". Independence referendum
She said the meeting would be one of the most important since the EU referendum. Asked if such a timescale could see her announce a second independence referendum by March, she added: "I'll do what needs to be done to protect Scotland's position. We are running out of time for this process.
"It comes at a crucial juncture, with the clock ticking down to the triggering of Article 50 and with, so far, no sign whatsoever that the UK government is taking Scotland's position remotely seriously," Ms Sturgeon said. "It can't go on indefinitely and it won't go on indefinitely.
"The JMC (Joint Ministerial Committee) meeting in Cardiff is another chance for the prime minister to heed the voice of Scotland and those of the other devolved governments - and she must take the opportunity to do so." "This is one of the last key opportunities for me to make clear to the prime minister that I have to see some movement on her part, and over the next few weeks she has got the opportunity to demonstrate whether that movement is going to be forthcoming."
Monday's agenda included proposals for alternative settlements for the devolved administrations as well as ideas on helping British businesses to trade and invest in the run-up to Brexit.Monday's agenda included proposals for alternative settlements for the devolved administrations as well as ideas on helping British businesses to trade and invest in the run-up to Brexit.
Democratic Unionist Party leader Arlene Foster, who was Northern Ireland first minister until recently, was at the talks. Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones called on Mrs May to uphold pledges made during the referendum campaign that Wales would not lose funding as a result of the UK leaving the EU.
Also attending was Sinn Fein leader Michelle O'Neill, who accused the UK government of trying to impose Brexit against the will of the people in Northern Ireland and in Scotland. Mr Jones spoke to the prime minister ahead of the main meeting, with the first minister raising his concerns about the UK's government's handling of Donald Trump's immigration order.
"The Tory government have effectively set aside the democratic process to pursue their own narrow political agenda. We need all of those opposed to Brexit to stand together," she said.
"I will lay out the reasonable and achievable objective of the north being designated special status within the EU."
'Firm commitment'
Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones called for "open and frank discussions" and said he would call on Mrs May to uphold pledges made during the referendum campaign that Wales would not lose funding as a result of the UK leaving the EU.
Mr Jones spoke to Mrs May ahead of the main meeting, with the first minister raising his concerns about the UK's government's handling of Donald Trump's immigration order.
He also welcomed a "firm commitment" from the prime minister that Brexit would not be used as cover for a "land grab" on devolved powers.He also welcomed a "firm commitment" from the prime minister that Brexit would not be used as cover for a "land grab" on devolved powers.
There were also discussions about full single market access, and its importance to the Welsh economy.There were also discussions about full single market access, and its importance to the Welsh economy.
A spokesman for the Welsh government said: "The positions are not identical, but not irreconcilable at this stage".A spokesman for the Welsh government said: "The positions are not identical, but not irreconcilable at this stage".
Mrs May has already highlighted that the Supreme Court had set out "beyond doubt" that relations with the EU would be decided by the UK government. Democratic Unionist Party leader Arlene Foster, who was Northern Ireland's first minister until recently, was at the talks.
"We will not agree on everything, but that doesn't mean we will shy away from the necessary conversations and I hope we will have further constructive discussions today," she said. Also attending was Sinn Fein leader Michelle O'Neill, who urged the prime minister to "respect the vote of the people in the north and that we should be designated special status within the EU".
"We have also had the Supreme Court judgment which made clear beyond doubt that relations with the EU are a matter for the UK government and UK parliament. The UK government's Scottish Secretary David Mundell later confirmed "inter-governmental discussions" on proposals brought forward by the devolved administrations would be intensified.
"We should not forget that that means MPs representing every community in the UK will be fully involved in the passage of Article 50 through parliament." He said: "The question is not about can there be differentiation (for Scotland), the question is whether Scotland would benefit from differentiation, and that's what really has got to be at the heart of these intense discussions," he said.
"Is it necessary to have a separate deal for Scotland, is the wish for a separate deal for Scotland driven by ideology or is it really based on economic fact and Scotland's future needs?
"That is what we need to have a full and frank discussion about in the weeks ahead."
Mrs May later headed to Dublin for talks with Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Enda Kenny.
Mr Kenny has called for the maintenance of the current "seamless border" between Ireland and Northern Ireland, after the UK leaves the EU, amid fears that a "hard Brexit" might reimpose controls on movement and trade.