Sturgeon says UK Brexit powers plan would 'demolish' devolution principle
The First Minister has spoken in the Sunday Herald newspaper.
UK Government proposals to resolve the dispute over post-Brexit powers make a "mockery of consensus" and would "completely demolish" the principle of the devolution settlement, Nicola Sturgeon has said.
Ministers published changes to the EU Withdrawal Bill in an effort to end the long-running row with the Scottish and Welsh governments.
While the Welsh administration has now reached agreement, Scottish ministers have stood firm in their objection, stating the proposals would mean Holyrood's powers could be restricted without consent for up to seven years.
Writing in the Sunday Herald newspaper ahead of further talks between ministers next week, Scotland's First Minister said: "After Brexit, the UK Government has made clear it wants the final say on many devolved policy areas which are currently subject to EU law - completely demolishing the principle at the heart of the devolution settlement endorsed democratically by the people of Scotland more than 20 years ago.
"The Tories have now proposed amendments to the Bill which they say take account of our concerns.
"But, as ever, the devil is in the detail, and a careful reading of the small print betrays the reality of what we are being offered."
New amendments from the UK Government will introduce a "sunset clause" so that devolved powers returned to Westminster - in order to create common frameworks across the UK - do not stay there indefinitely.
They also introduce a requirement for a "consent decision" at Holyrood before ministers can legislate in devolved areas.
However, Ms Sturgeon said the definition of "consent" laid out in the amendment was "as surreal and perverse a definition... possibly ever to have been concocted in the English language".
"That is why the Scottish Government has refused to sign up to any deal based on this mockery of consensus, which demolishes the notion of a partnership of equals," she said.
The UK Government said the agreement reached with the Welsh Government "will provide legal certainty and increase the powers of the devolved legislatures".
"We hope that the Scottish Government will now sign up to this sensible, pragmatic compromise," a spokesman said