DOUGLAS Ross has confirmed he will be voting for the Tories' Brexit power grab in Commons tonight as a "safety net" for Scottish jobs.
Ministers have admitted the Internal Market Bill, which has its second reading in the Commons today, will breach international law as it overrides key elements of the Withdrawal Agreement agreed between the UK and the EU.
Overriding the Withdrawal Agrrement means a significant shake up of state aid and spending rules, and more power being handed to London over regulations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
For the Scottish and Welsh governments, one of the most difficult proposals is for a mutual recognition regime, requiring regulatory standards in one part of the UK to be automatically accepted in others.
The devolved governments won’t be able to ask for an exemption based on public health, or environmental standards.
READ MORE: Tory MP Bernard Jenkin blasted for 'delusional' claim about UK's Brexit deal
Ross, who is expected to speak in the Commons tonight, said: “The UK Internal Market Bill is important for jobs and businesses across Scotland. Putting 545,00 jobs that rely on UK trade at risk in the middle of a pandemic is not an option.
“I am voting for the bill at this stage to make sure that safety net for Scottish jobs is there.”
"That's why I will vote in favour of it on Monday evening, allowing the bill to progress to committee stage where over the next two weeks, MPs will be able to debate and vote on a range of amendments.
"Putting half a million jobs at risk in the middle of a pandemic is not an option, so I am voting for the bill at this stage to make sure that safety net for Scottish jobs is there."
The UK Internal Market Bill is important for jobs and businesses across Scotland.
— Douglas Ross MP (@Douglas4Moray) September 14, 2020
Putting 545,00 jobs that rely on UK trade at risk in the middle of a pandemic is not an option. I am voting for the bill at this stage to make sure that safety net for Scottish jobs is there.
The Tory Advocate General for Scotland, Lord Keen, has been urged to prove his integrity by resigning over the Bill.
READ MORE: More pressure on Richard Keen to quit over illegal Internal Market Bill
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