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| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Nicola Sturgeon meets EU's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier | Nicola Sturgeon meets EU's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Nicola Sturgeon has described her meeting with the EU's chief Brexit negotiator as "useful and constructive". | Nicola Sturgeon has described her meeting with the EU's chief Brexit negotiator as "useful and constructive". |
| The first minister had a private meeting with Michel Barnier in Brussels that lasted about 45 minutes. | The first minister had a private meeting with Michel Barnier in Brussels that lasted about 45 minutes. |
| It was held as Mr Barnier prepares for the second round of talks between the UK and EU, which will begin on Monday. | It was held as Mr Barnier prepares for the second round of talks between the UK and EU, which will begin on Monday. |
| Ms Sturgeon said she used the meeting to emphasise her belief that the UK should stay in the single market. | Ms Sturgeon said she used the meeting to emphasise her belief that the UK should stay in the single market. |
| She said she had also stressed to Mr Barnier that her priority was to protect Scotland's economic interests. | She said she had also stressed to Mr Barnier that her priority was to protect Scotland's economic interests. |
| And she said the Scottish government would "do all it can to build a consensus against an extreme Brexit outside the single market, which would have potentially catastrophic consequences for jobs, investment and our living standards". | And she said the Scottish government would "do all it can to build a consensus against an extreme Brexit outside the single market, which would have potentially catastrophic consequences for jobs, investment and our living standards". |
| Mr Barnier also held talks with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Carwyn Jones, the Welsh first minister, on Thursday. | Mr Barnier also held talks with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Carwyn Jones, the Welsh first minister, on Thursday. |
| But speaking on Wednesday, he stressed that Brexit negotiations would only be done with the UK government. | But speaking on Wednesday, he stressed that Brexit negotiations would only be done with the UK government. |
| Mr Barnier said: "I have always made clear that I will listen to different points on view in the British debate. | Mr Barnier said: "I have always made clear that I will listen to different points on view in the British debate. |
| "Of course, I will only negotiate with the UK government." | "Of course, I will only negotiate with the UK government." |
| 'Mutual understanding' | 'Mutual understanding' |
| Ms Sturgeon has consistently called for the Scottish government to have a "seat at the table" for the Brexit negotiations. | Ms Sturgeon has consistently called for the Scottish government to have a "seat at the table" for the Brexit negotiations. |
| But after her meeting with Mr Barnier, she said: "We have always been clear that this is not about holding separate Scottish negotiations - it is for the UK as the member state to negotiate with the EU - and as such we will continue to work hard to influence the UK position. | But after her meeting with Mr Barnier, she said: "We have always been clear that this is not about holding separate Scottish negotiations - it is for the UK as the member state to negotiate with the EU - and as such we will continue to work hard to influence the UK position. |
| "However, meetings like this are helpful in developing a mutual understanding between the Scottish government and the EU as these vital negotiations gather pace." | "However, meetings like this are helpful in developing a mutual understanding between the Scottish government and the EU as these vital negotiations gather pace." |
| The UK government has published its repeal bill, which will convert EU law into British law to ensure the same rules apply in the UK after Brexit, while giving the UK Parliament power to change them. | The UK government has published its repeal bill, which will convert EU law into British law to ensure the same rules apply in the UK after Brexit, while giving the UK Parliament power to change them. |
| But the SNP said there was still no clarity over which powers repatriated from the EU would be handed to the devolved nations. | But the SNP said there was still no clarity over which powers repatriated from the EU would be handed to the devolved nations. |
| A joint statement released by Ms Sturgeon and Carwyn Jones, the Welsh first minister, claimed that the repeal bill was a "naked power-grab, an attack on the founding principles of devolution and could destabilise our economies." | A joint statement released by Ms Sturgeon and Carwyn Jones, the Welsh first minister, claimed that the repeal bill was a "naked power-grab, an attack on the founding principles of devolution and could destabilise our economies." |
| It added: "The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill does not return powers from the EU to the devolved administrations, as promised. | It added: "The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill does not return powers from the EU to the devolved administrations, as promised. |
| "It returns them solely to the UK government and parliament, and imposes new restrictions on the Scottish Parliament and National Assembly for Wales. | "It returns them solely to the UK government and parliament, and imposes new restrictions on the Scottish Parliament and National Assembly for Wales. |
| "On that basis, the Scottish and Welsh governments cannot recommend that legislative consent is given to the Bill as it currently stands." | "On that basis, the Scottish and Welsh governments cannot recommend that legislative consent is given to the Bill as it currently stands." |
| UK Brexit Secretary David Davis said he would "work with anyone" to make the repeal bill a success, and insisted that it would allow the UK to leave the EU with "maximum certainty, continuity and control". | UK Brexit Secretary David Davis said he would "work with anyone" to make the repeal bill a success, and insisted that it would allow the UK to leave the EU with "maximum certainty, continuity and control". |
| And Scottish Secretary David Mundell insisted the legislation would result in a powers "bonanza" for Holyrood and said he was confident that legislative consent would be forthcoming. | |
| Mr Mundell also confirmed the approval of the Scottish Parliament through a legislative consent motion would be required for the bill. | |
| Ms Sturgeon has previously called for a "short pause" in the Brexit process so consensus can be built across the UK on the best way forward. | Ms Sturgeon has previously called for a "short pause" in the Brexit process so consensus can be built across the UK on the best way forward. |
| The first minister wants membership of the European single market and the customs union to be at the heart of the process, but Prime Minister Theresa May has insisted the UK will be leaving both. | |
| The UK government has also previously rejected Ms Sturgeon's calls for the Scottish government to be involved in the Brexit talks, and for Scotland to keep its single market membership even if the rest of the UK leaves. | The UK government has also previously rejected Ms Sturgeon's calls for the Scottish government to be involved in the Brexit talks, and for Scotland to keep its single market membership even if the rest of the UK leaves. |
| It has pledged to "consult" with the UK's devolved administrations during the Brexit process. | It has pledged to "consult" with the UK's devolved administrations during the Brexit process. |
| Financial settlement | Financial settlement |
| On Wednesday, Mr Barnier called on the UK to offer more clarity on its position on the "divorce bill" financial settlement with the EU - which estimates have put at anywhere between €60bn to €100bn (£53bn to £89bn). | On Wednesday, Mr Barnier called on the UK to offer more clarity on its position on the "divorce bill" financial settlement with the EU - which estimates have put at anywhere between €60bn to €100bn (£53bn to £89bn). |
| He said there were also major differences between the EU and UK on the rights of EU citizens living in Britain as well as on the financial settlement. | He said there were also major differences between the EU and UK on the rights of EU citizens living in Britain as well as on the financial settlement. |
| Mr Barnier said those issues - along with the nature of the future border with the Republic of Ireland - must be dealt with before future UK-EU trade could be discussed. | Mr Barnier said those issues - along with the nature of the future border with the Republic of Ireland - must be dealt with before future UK-EU trade could be discussed. |
| UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson told MPs earlier this week that the EU can "go whistle" for any "extortionate" final payment. | UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson told MPs earlier this week that the EU can "go whistle" for any "extortionate" final payment. |
| Speaking ahead of Ms Sturgeon's meeting with Mr Barnier, Scottish Labour's Europe spokesman Lewis Macdonald said: "Unlike the Tories, Labour wants a jobs-first Brexit that will prioritise the economy, jobs and living standards - and that is what Jeremy Corbyn will outline when he meets Mr Barnier." | Speaking ahead of Ms Sturgeon's meeting with Mr Barnier, Scottish Labour's Europe spokesman Lewis Macdonald said: "Unlike the Tories, Labour wants a jobs-first Brexit that will prioritise the economy, jobs and living standards - and that is what Jeremy Corbyn will outline when he meets Mr Barnier." |
| The Scottish Liberal Democrats urged Ms Sturgeon to push for an acknowledgment that Brexit can be cancelled. | The Scottish Liberal Democrats urged Ms Sturgeon to push for an acknowledgment that Brexit can be cancelled. |