THE European Union’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, told a committee of MPs that Theresa May’s trade deal proposals were “dead”.
Barnier’s assessment came as Michael Russell told MSPs that the existing devolution settlement cannot cope with Brexit.
Barnier held talks with the Brexit select committee on Monday to discuss the level of progress in the negotiations, and made it “crystal clear” that the Chequers plan was unacceptable, according to Labour’s Stephen Kinnock.
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During exchanges with Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab, the anti-Brexit campaigner insisted Brussels had spiked the plans.
He said: “I can tell you absolutely, unequivocally, without a shadow of a doubt that Chequers is dead in the water.
“Mr Barnier made it crystal clear that Chequer’s is completely unacceptable to the European Union.”
Raab asked: “Can I just check he said ‘dead in the water’?”
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Kinnock replied: “He said ‘les propositions sont mortes’.”
Former Brexit minister David Jones quizzed Raab on why he was “flogging this dead horse?”
Raab replied: “This is a negotiation with the EU so you are going to hear noises from various sides that are critical.”
He added that ministers should be in no doubt “good progress” was being made.
During the session of the Commons European Scrutiny Committee, May’s Europe adviser also rejected suggestions that he should tell the Prime Minister to put the Chequers plan “out of its misery”.
Olly Robbins said the proposals were a “credible, sensible” offer.
Meanwhile, Russell (pictured below), Scotland’s Constitutional Relations Secretary, said there must be “substantial change” to the devolution arrangements as he appeared before the Finance and Constitution Committee to discuss trade after the UK leaves the EU.
Scottish ministers sought urgent discussions with the UK Government on devolution after the EU Withdrawal Bill was passed – despite the Scottish Parliament voting to withhold consent.
Russell confirmed that the Scottish Government will not bring forward a consent vote for the Trade Bill – aimed at ensuring the UK can continue its existing trade policy as far as possible in the immediate aftermath of leaving the EU – or any other Brexit legislation until the issue is resolved.
“I think everybody would accept that the weight of Brexit is too great for the current devolved settlement to bear. That’s obvious,” Russell said.
“The system has not worked, and therefore there needs to be changes to the system. We think there is a case to be made for substantial change.”
Scottish ministers are pressing for changes to the Trade Bill which they say are needed to address concerns over where powers in devolved areas will lie and the set-up of the Trade Remedies Body, which will affect Scottish consumers and businesses.
They have also called for a role for the Scottish Government in the development of future trade deals.
Russell said the current level of engagement between the Scottish and UK governments should be improved.
“Where I see essentially a tick-box exercise going on, I have an obligation to say there is a tick-box exercise going on,” he said.
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