Scotland demands to be 'equal partner' in Brexit negotiations

The Scottish Government has demanded to be treated as an "equal partner" in upcoming Brexit negotiations as Theresa May called for a "grown up" relationship with the devolved administrations.

The Prime Minister will host the leaders of Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland next week to discuss Brexit and her economic plans.

Monday will see the Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) meet for the first time since Britain voted to leave the EU, and Downing Street said talks would discuss how all four administrations could work together for the best Brexit deal.

Ahead of the talks, the lead Scottish minister involved in the process warned that Edinburgh was increasingly concerned about "hard Brexit".

Michael Russell, the Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland's Place in Europe, said: "Four months on from the referendum, we have yet to see a proposal from the UK Government on how the views of people in Scotland will be taken into account.

"The Scottish Government is becoming increasingly concerned that the UK is heading for a hard Brexit with all the damage that will bring to the Scottish and UK economies.

"The Prime Minister has set the clock ticking and the UK Government must use the time before triggering Article 50 to engage properly with all the devolved administrations and show that they are willing and able to treat Scotland as an equal partner."

Michael Russell said Scotland is "increasingly concerned" about a so-called hard Brexit. Credit: PA

The Scottish government under Nicola Sturgeon has drawn up draft legislation for a second independence referendum, with suggestions that Scots should reconsider the issue in light of the Brexit vote.

But Downing Street has insisted that the Holyrood government has no mandate for a second referendum, and the issue could cast a shadow over Monday's talks.

Mrs May said: "Far more than mere geography brings us together - and we are much more than the sum of our parts. As we move into this new chapter, we must seize the opportunities ahead, as we will achieve far more together than we could ever do apart.

"I want Monday's meeting to be the start of a new grown up relationship between the devolved administrations and the UK Government - one in which we all work together to forge the future for everyone in the United Kingdom."