SCOTLAND’S biggest Remain campaign has today branded the UK Government “highly reckless” over its refusal to seek a Brexit extension.

Last week Michael Gove, acting for the Tory Government, told Brussels leaders that the UK will not change the Leave deadline.

This comes despite the added economic turmoil caused by the pandemic and pleas by the Scottish and Welsh governments to change the end-of-year withdrawal date.

Using Twitter to make that formal announcement, Gove stated: “I formally confirmed the UK will not extend the transition period and the moment for extension has now passed.”

The European Movement in Scotland (Emis) has now condemned that position in a statement that coincided with a meeting between Boris Johnson and EU institution leaders.

The Prime Minister held talks with the European Council, Commission and Parliament.

And the call also comes as a petition calling for a Brexit extension passes the 100,000 threshold.

That trigger point means Westminster’s Petitions Committee must now give serious consideration to holding a debate on the matter.

More signatures have been added by people living in Edinburgh North and Leith than in any other UK constituency.

David Clarke, vice-chair of Emis, said: “Despite experiencing one of the largest global pandemics, Boris Johnson’s Government recklessly ploughs on with a transition period due to finish at the end of this year, deaf and blind to the enormous damage a poor Brexit deal or indeed no deal will have on an already weakened UK economy.

“If it is to be anything short of an economic catastrophe, the matter of negotiating a good trading deal with the EU should be set to one side until it can be given the serious attention that it clearly now requires.

“We are urging the Prime Minister to propose a two-year extension to the Brexit transition period.

“Such an extension is vital if the UK is not to suffer an even more grievous body-blow to our economy.”