Nicola Sturgeon has hit out at Theresa May's public plea for Brexit support, saying "almost nothing in this desperate letter is true".
In a "letter to the nation" published before the Prime Minister met the other 27 EU leaders in Brussels, May said leaving the union on March 29 2019 would mark "a new chapter in our national life".
The 800-word message said that the result of the EU referendum in 2016 would be honoured and that freedom of movement would end.
It also stated that the UK would "take back control" of laws and money which, it suggested, could be spent on the NHS.
Scotland's First Minister described the letter as "desperate" and reiterated her calls for alternatives such as staying in the single market and customs union or holding a second referendum.
I don’t say this lightly, but almost nothing in this desperate letter is true. This is a bad deal, driven by the PM’s self defeating red lines and continual pandering to the right of her own party. Parliament should reject it and back a better alternative - SM/CU or #PeoplesVote https://t.co/TSsXQtVUAZ
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) November 25, 2018
Sturgeon tweeted: "I don't say this lightly, but almost nothing in this desperate letter is true.
"This is a bad deal, driven by the PM's self defeating red lines and continual pandering to the right of her own party. Parliament should reject it and back a better alternative - SM/CU or #PeoplesVote."
As EU leaders endorsed the deal on Sunday, SNP MSP Brexit secretary Mike Russell said it "does not work for Scotland".
"It takes Scotland out of the European Union against our democratic wishes, it removes us from the single market against our economic interests, and it would put us at a competitive economic disadvantage compared to Northern Ireland," he said.
"The only thing it guarantees is years of damaging uncertainty, which will cost jobs and hit living standards and, by ending freedom of movement, will make it harder to attract the staff we need for our NHS "That is why the Scottish Government will now work with others to get a better deal for Scotland within the European single market and customs union - which is eight times bigger than the UK market alone - and why we support another referendum on EU membership."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel