Interim Brexit customs union plan ‘daft’ says Nicola Sturgeon

PLANS for a temporary customs union with the European Union post-Brexit have been branded “daft” by Scotland’s First Minister.

Nicola Sturgeon dismissed proposals for Britain to keep the same EU customs arrangements for an interim period after leaving the bloc, calling on the UK Government to instead commit to staying in both the single market and the customs union.

Brexit Secretary David Davis said the temporary arrangement would avoid “unnecessary disruption” for UK businesses.

But on Twitter, Ms Sturgeon said: “Seems UK gov is back to its daft ‘have cake and eat it’ approach to Brexit. They should commit to staying in single market and CU, period.”

Stephen Gethins MP, the SNP’s Europe spokesman, earlier told BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland programme: “What we’re calling for is for continued membership of the single market and the customs union.

“What the UK seems to want here at the moment is to have its cake and eat it.

“I think what we’re seeing… is just how important the single market and customs union are to jobs and to the economy, to everybody in Scotland and across the UK as well.

“Let’s not forget that these plans haven’t yet gone to Parliament for scrutiny, they’ve snuck them out over the summer recess and they’ve not yet met up with our European negotiators, because don’t forget that once the UK leaves the EU, the UK is not part of the club and they’re not looking out for the UK’s interests, they’re looking out for the EU 27’s interests.”