David Mundell: Brexit ‘will lead to more powers’ for Scotland

SCOTLAND will be handed more powers after the UK leaves the European Union, David Mundell has said.

The Scottish Secretary offered an “absolute guarantee” that Holyrood would be given greater control over Scottish affairs after Brexit, amid concern that key areas of agriculture and fishing policy could be returned to Westminster when the UK is handed back powers from Brussels.

It comes after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon warned that the UK Government would try to use Brexit as an excuse to “rein in” the devolved administration during a speech in Edinburgh this week.

Speaking during Scotland Questions in the Commons, Mr Mundell said: “This Government’s plan is to engage with the Scottish Government and with the other devolved administrations to discuss these very serious issues.

“It’s not to go out and tell the people of Scotland that the devolved settlement is being undermined by Brexit – a Brexit which will lead to more powers being exercised by the Scottish Parliament.

“I can give you an absolute guarantee that after the United Kingdom leaves the EU, the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Ministers will have more powers than they have today.”

SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson pressed the minister on promises over agriculture and fisheries policy, which he said were vital to Scotland’s rural communities.

He said: “During the Brexit referendum campaign, people were told that decisions currently taken in Brussels on agriculture and fisheries would revert to the Scottish Parliament.

“You have not given a clear answer on this question and it really matters to our rural industries, to our rural economy and Scotland as a trading nation.”

However Mr Mundell said the Government had guaranteed that all existing powers exercised by the Scottish Parliament would remain the same.

Earlier the Scottish Government was accused of using rhetoric of “whinge, whine and waffle”, rather than making the most of the devolved powers.

Tory Simon Hoare (North Dorset) said: “Do you share my confusion that the Scottish Government prefers the narrative of whinge, whine and waffle, rather than using the powers that this Parliament has given them to prove their competence of running the country?”