A COUNCIL has become the first in Scotland to vote in favour of holding a referendum on the final Brexit deal, including an option for the UK to remain in the EU.
A majority of SNP councillors joined forces with some LibDem, Green, independent and Labour members to defeat Banff and Buchan’s ruling Tory administration.
The council voted by 33 to 26 in favour of a motion by Green councillor Martin Ford to back a so-called people’s vote.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said she will not stand in the way of a people’s vote, but has not backed the campaign for one to be held, raising concerns over the possibility of Scotland again voting to remain while the UK as a whole voted to leave.
However, Scotland’s Brexit Secretary Mike Russell told MSPs he has had “very constructive” talks with people’s vote campaigner Hugo Dixon.
Tory MP David Duguid, who represents Banff and Buchan, said he was “astonished” some SNP councillors representing fishing communities backed the vote.
He said: “The British people – including those here in Banff and Buchan – voted to leave the EU.”
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