Separate Brexit deal for Scotland not realistic prospect, warns Philip Hammond
Scotland cannot have a separate Brexit deal from the rest of the United Kingdom, the Chancellor has said.
Scotland cannot have a separate Brexit deal from the rest of the United Kingdom, the Chancellor has said.
Philip Hammond said special arrangements for Scotland on trading and immigration are "not a realistic prospect", ahead of a meeting with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in Edinburgh.
Ms Sturgeon is due to publish options aimed at protecting Scotland's place in Europe in the next few weeks, focusing on keeping the country in the single market even if the UK leaves it.
Asked about a separate deal, Mr Hammond said: "Honestly I think this is not a realistic prospect.
"The European Union is clear it will negotiate a deal with the United Kingdom, the United Kingdom is the member state, and I think you only need to think about it for a few moments to realise that a separate negotiation deal for any part of the United Kingdom would be impractical."
He called for those opposed to Brexit to "stop clutching at straws" and to recognise the will of the people, arguing that the decision to leave the European Union is a "United Kingdom issue".