MSPs could be forced back early from their tattie holiday break to debate whether or not to give consent to Boris Johnson’s new Brexit deal.
Holyrood is not due to return until next Tuesday, but the Scottish Government has requested the Presiding Officer recall the Parliament this Thursday.
Downing Street are hoping to have the Withdrawal Agreement Bill passed through the Commons over the next three days.
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A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: “The UK Government has indicated that it intends to pass the Withdrawal Agreement Bill – which requires the legislative consent of the Scottish Parliament – prior to October 31.
“Our preference is that the UK secures an extension to the Article 50 process, enabling proper scrutiny of the legislation in Westminster and the Scottish Parliament.
“However, if the UK Government remains determined to seek passage of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill within the next 10 days then we believe it is necessary for the Scottish Parliament to meet this week to decide whether or not to consent to the Bill and to fulfil our democratic functions.”
A spokesman for the Scottish Parliament said: “[The Presiding Officer] has been in contact with officials throughout today.
“Any decision to recall Parliament will be taken by him. As ever, he will listen to the views of the parties before reaching a decision.
“He’ll take stock of developments at Westminster over the course of the day.”
Nicola Sturgeon took to Twitter to explain why it was necessary. She said: “Seems [UK Government] will try to ram Withdrawal Agreement Bill through in days, ignoring requirement of @ScotParl (and @AssemblyWales) to consider Legislative Consent Motions.
“Recall would allow an opportunity, but outrageous that vital scrutiny expected to happen in such short timescale.”
Scot LibDem leader Willie Rennie agreed: “Scottish Liberal Democrats will vote against Brexit again.
“The vote in the Scottish Parliament will be another signal that the Brexit deal is a bad idea.
“It is time for Scottish Conservatives to show some backbone.
“They need to vote against a Brexit deal that puts an internal border in the Irish Sea.
“It breaks the Conservatives’ promise and risks the future of the United Kingdom.
“Brexit is bad for the UK.”
Meanwhile, interim Tory leader at Holyrood Jackson Carlaw was in London for a meeting with Boris Johnson and 12 of the party’s 13 Scottish MPs.
Posting a picture online, he tweeted: "Scottish Conservatives are committed to working together to get Brexit done and focus government in London and Edinburgh on the things that matter #GetBrexitSorted.”
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