Theresa May questioned Angus Robertson’s commitment to keeping Scotland in the European Union yesterday during a clash over Brexit.
The prime minister said the SNP Westminster leader had not wanted to protect its place in the EU in 2014 when he campaigned for Scotland to leave the UK during the independence referendum.
Her remarks came after he accused her of refusing to reveal the “true cost Brexit”.
Intervening at Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons, Mr Robertson first asked whether she was in favour of protecting visa-free travel.
The Moray MP said: “Last week you were unwilling or unable to give any assurances about remaining in the single European market.
“You have been unwilling or unable to give any assurances to the financial sector about protecting the passporting of financial services.
“Meanwhile, millions of people from across the UK depend on freedom of movement across the EU for business and for pleasure.
“They face the prospect of having to apply and possibly pay for visas. Are you in favour of protecting visa-free travel – yes, or no?”
Mrs May did not answer, but said the “clear message” from the British people on June 23 had been a call for control of the movement of people from the EU into the UK, adding: “That is what we will deliver.”
Mr Robertson continued: “The prime minister and the UK Government are totally unwilling to tell us the true cost of Brexit and what their negotiating position will be.”
He then asked whether Mrs May agreed with new EU negotiator Guy Verhofstadt, who has said it is wrong that Scotland might be taken out when it voted to stay.
The Tory leader said it was “all very well” for him to ask that question.
But she added: “Only two years ago you did not want to protect Scotland’s place in the European Union, because you wanted Scotland to leave the UK.
“On all of those questions, whether it is on the referendum for leaving the EU, the referendum on independence in Scotland, or those in this House, you seem to think that if you ask the question all the time, you will get a different answer.
“Well, it will not work for me and it will not work for the Scottish people.”