Cabinet Secretary for Constitutional Relations Michael Russell has set out his key demands to protect Scotland from the damaging impact of leaving the European Union (EU).
The Scottish Government’s priorities were highlighted at the Joint Ministerial Committee EU Negotiations (JMC EN) in London.
Mr Russell said: “I made it clear today that we expect the UK Government to respect the right of the people of Scotland to choose their own future.
“We have a clear democratic mandate to offer people a choice on that future in an independence referendum and the result of December’s General Election has only strengthened that right.
“We regretfully accept the UK has a mandate to take the rest of the UK out of the European Union, but the people of Scotland overwhelmingly want to stay in.
“The current hard deal Brexit proposed by the UK Government will impose significant damage on the people and economy of Scotland hitting employment and living standards.
“In order to limit the damaging impact of Brexit on Scotland it is now imperative the Scottish Government is given a proper and meaningful role in the next phase of negotiations.
“It is also vital that devolution is protected throughout the process and that there is clear recognition that the Scottish Parliament has now overwhelmingly rejected the Withdrawal Agreement Bill.”
