Bill to scrap retained EU laws must change to respect devolution – Robertson

The UK Government should amend or drop its plans to scrap post-Brexit EU laws, Angus Robertson has said.

The Scottish Constitution Secretary said UK ministers are disrespecting Holyrood by seeking to pass the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill without legislative consent.

Conservative ministers recently scaled back the scope of the Bill, meaning it will revoke around 600 retained EU laws rather than the 4,000 originally pledged.

Mr Robertson has now written to UK Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch, saying the Bill should be amended to require consent from devolved governments.

The SNP minister said the Scottish Government was only given a day to consider amendments to the Bill.

He referred to a statement by Lord Callanan in the House of Lords which said the UK Government “intends to proceed with the Bill without [devolved government] consent”.

Mr Robertson’s letter said: “No attempt was made to contact us before Lord Callanan’s statement.

“It seems to me to be clear that the UK Government had no intention of respecting the Sewel convention or the views of the Scottish Parliament.”

The Bill threatens high standards stemming from EU regulations and would undermine devolution, Mr Robertson said.

His letter continued: “I once again call on you to respect the Scottish Parliament by amending the Bill to be consistent with devolution.

“Otherwise it should be withdrawn.”

A UK Government spokesman said: “We will continue to work with the Scottish Government to ensure people and businesses right across the UK benefit from a smarter, home-grown regulatory framework – such as the Edinburgh Reforms of financial services.

“The REUL Bill is ending the supremacy of EU law and improving UK regulation, giving businesses the freedom to do what they do best – sell innovative products, create jobs and grow the economy – whilst upholding our high standards and keeping important protections and safeguards in place.”