New Scottish Labour Deputy Leader urges united voice on Brexit devolution deal

The new Scottish Labour deputy leader wants MPs representing Scotland to back Labour's amendments to the EU Withdrawal Bill as it faces crunch Commons votes.

The Scottish Parliament has voted against granting a legislative consent motion for the Bill amid a long-running row between the Scottish and UK Governments that the legislation represents a Westminster 'power grab' against Holyrood and will undermine devolution.

Labour's amendments would cut the proposed post-transition period 'sunset clause' from five to three years.

The sunset clause refers to how long UK government legislation can last on matters coming back from the EU after the transition period on areas which fall within the devolved remit of the Scottish Parliament.

Labour also propose consent from the Scottish Parliament must be sought unless the UK Government has to legislate in an area which involves an international obligation.

This party said the approach is consistent with the 1998 Scotland Act and so respects Scotland's devolution settlement.

The amendment has been tabled by the UK party's front bench, including leader Jeremy Corbyn, shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer and Ms Laird.

She said: 'Scotland's MPs should speak with one voice and back Labour's bid to protect the devolution settlement.

'Labour is the party of devolution and we will always defend it. We have tried to find solutions throughout this process that delivers a result for the people of Scotland.

'Labour has been the only party making a serious attempt to break the Brexit deadlock, and these proposals are a serious attempt to stop the UK heading towards a constitutional crisis over devolution.

'The people of Scotland just want this mess fixed. It's time to do that, and Labour has outlined a path.'

On Sunday Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon wrote to Commons Speaker John Bercow urging him to allow a vote on the issue of the Scottish Parliament refusing to grant a legislative consent motion for the Bill.

She attached amendments drafted by the Scottish Government which include removing the ability of the controversial clause 11 to make regulations restricting the competence of the Scottish Parliament.

She warned that constitutional convention and practice dictates the Bill cannot complete parliamentary process at Westminster with the Scottish Parliament's consent.

She added: 'I believe we now face an unprecedented constitutional position, which puts at risk 19 years of constitutional convention and practice, on which devolution relies.

'I therefore hope you will feel able to use your offices to ensure that, prior to taking this unprecedented step, the House of Commons will have the opportunity to debate these amendments and the fundamental constitutional issues involved in their consideration of the Bill.'