Collapsing Brexit negotiations would pave the way for Scottish independence – and could leave the UK begging to rejoin within a generation, Michael Russell has claimed.
Holyrood’s Brexit minister told fellow MSPs there is “high chance” of a breakdown in talks between the UK and EU leaders and warned the Scottish Government had been working on contingency plans – including independence.
Mr Russell said the UK could end up seeking to rejoin the Brussels group within 20 years if it pushes ahead with the scheduled departure in 2019 without a trade deal.
“I think the chances of the UK not sticking with the negotiations are high,” he told Holyrood’s European and External Affairs Committee.
“I don’t think they are necessarily 50 per cent or 60 per cent but they’re high. It is in our mind that we would have to be prepared in those circumstances.
“We have a range of scenarios that we look at regularly.
“You start probably with that issue and you work your way through ‘hard Brexit’ with detriment to devolution, ‘hard Brexit’ without detriment to devolution, ‘moderate Brexit’ in which devolved powers are increased, through to independence, of course, which we believe is the offering that should be made.
“So we look at all of those and we have thought through some of the issues.
“But if there’s going to be a collapse in negotiations it will probably happen sooner rather than later.”
Mr Russell said EU leaders were “mystified and troubled” by the UK’s decision to leave, but wouldn’t be “hectored and pressured” by Mrs May, as they had their own priorities to consider.
“There are bigger issues,” he said.
“I actually think in 20 years’ time, if the UK does come out, in 20 years’ time the UK will be in the process of trying to be back in.
“And it will have lost 20 years influence and 20 years of progress and 20 years of prosperity.”
Scottish Conservative constitution spokesman Adam Tomkins said: “Mike Russell’s hysterical outburst gave the impression that he’d love nothing more than for the UK to fail in these talks.
“For a minister in Nicola Sturgeon’s government to be willing Theresa May’s negotiations to collapse is an utter disgrace.
“What Scots want is for the SNP government to get behind Britain’s negotiations with the EU, not to seek constantly to undermine them.”
Meanwhile, on a visit to the Western Isles later today, Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale will argue unique Scottish exports, such as Stornoway black pudding, must be protected after Brexit.
She will say: “Food and drink exports are a key part of the Scottish economy, particularly our island economies. They secure jobs, grow the economy and are essential to the distinctive nature of Scotland’s Highlands and Islands. “Any post-Brexit trade deal must protect the status of our key food and drink products.
“The Tories would sell our islands’ economies down the river.”