First Minister says Brexit deal strengthens case for Scottish independence
Nicola Sturgeon has warned no deal will ever make up for what Brexit takes away
Nicola Sturgeon has said the new Brexit deal showed it was time for Scotland to “chart our own future as an independent, European nation”.
In a tweet reacting to the news that a Brexit deal had been reached, the First Minister said: “Before the spin starts, it's worth remembering that Brexit is happening against Scotland's will.
“And there is no deal that will ever make up for what Brexit takes away from us.
“It's time to chart our own future as an independent, European nation.”
A deal was agreed between the UK Government and the EU on Christmas Eve, just a week away from the final deadline.
A Downing Street source insisted that “everything that the British public was promised during the 2016 referendum and in the general election last year is delivered by this deal”.
They added: “We have taken back control of our money, borders, laws, trade and our fishing waters.
“The deal is fantastic news for families and businesses in every part of the UK. We have signed the first free trade agreement based on zero tariffs and zero quotas that has ever been achieved with the EU.
“The deal is the biggest bilateral trade deal signed by either side, covering trade worth £668 billion in 2019.”
However, Scottish political leaders disputed the claims, with Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard saying “Boris Johnson's irresponsible brinksmanship and his gross mismanagement of this process” had caused massive economic uncertainty.
Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie echoed the sentiments, saying: “Boris Johnson has already caused huge damage by playing games of brinkmanship right up to seven days before the end of the transition period.
“There will now be some sense of relief that the dangerous prospect of crashing out with no deal has been averted. However, there is now no time for anything but the most cursory scrutiny in either Parliament.”
However, Scottish Conservative Leader Douglas Ross praised the deal - specifically noting that fishing communities “will be far better off” within Scotland.
Mr Ross said: “This deal has been secured as a result of the hard work and commitment of the UK and European negotiating teams.
“Both sides recognised the importance of reaching agreement on a range of complex issues and avoiding a damaging no-deal outcome. To have done so just in time for Christmas is great news.
While Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said: “The UK's deal with the EU is great news for Scotland's businesses. There are huge opportunities ahead - not just with this exceptional access to the EU market, but also in new markets right around the world.
“We have an agreement on fisheries which will ensure that our fishermen, and our coastal communities, will flourish outside of the EU's unfair Common Fisheries Policy. The UK will once more be a sovereign coastal state.”