SNP calls on PM to put EU single market membership 'back on the table'

The SNP has urged Theresa May to put membership of the EU single market “back on the table” following the Prime Minister's failure to secure a majority government.

Stephen Gethins, the party's spokesman on Europe at Westminster, said Mrs May must rethink her Brexit plan after the snap General Election result on Thursday in which the Tories lost seats.

“The election result was a comprehensive rejection of the Tory plans for an extreme Brexit - and single market membership must now be back on the table,” he said.

“Theresa May couldn't have been clearer. She called this election to secure a mandate for her negotiating position, and the electorate snubbed her.

“The Tories expected to come back with a thumping big majority - but instead they've come back weakened and reliant on the votes of the DUP.

“Scotland needs a seat at the negotiations to leave the EU - and it's time for the Tories to ditch their plans for an extreme Brexit.”

He echoed Scotland's First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, who in the wake of the election result said the Tories must abandon a “reckless” pursuit of a hard Brexit.

Ms Sturgeon appealed for MPs of all parties to “join together to keep the UK and Scotland in the European single market”.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, whose party boosted its MPs north of the border from one to 13, has urged the UK Government to listen to those who did not vote Tory and pursue “an open Brexit, not a closed one”.