Welsh and Scottish First Ministers call on meeting with the PM over Brexit deal

Credit: PA Images

The Welsh and Scottish First Ministers have written to Theresa May demanding an urgent meeting following the release of the Government's proposed Brexit deal.

In a joint letter, Carwyn Jones and Nicola Sturgeon said the handling of the deal is "symptomatic of the chaotic approach to the negotiations" where there was a "lack of meaningful engagement with the devolved administrations".

In an effort to avoid relations between the devolved countries deteriorating further, Adrian Masters reports a senior U.K. Government minister is rumoured to be expected to be going to Wales to meet the Welsh Government on Friday.

Britain's EU withdrawal: Brexit deal contents released

Reacting to the deal proposal, Carwyn Jones told ITV Cymru Wales that the UK "appears to be rudderless" and said the only way to solve the "impasse" in Westminster is a General Election or another referendum.

In a statement, Plaid Cymru’s leader Adam Price AM and Westminster leader Liz Saville Roberts MP said the party will not support the withdrawal agreement as it stands for five reasons:

  • It takes Wales on a trajectory out of the Single Market and Customs Union.

  • Without the detail of our future relationship agreed in legal text, this is a Blind Brexit with the devil of said detail to be discovered over the next two years.

  • Wales has been sidelined throughout the negotiations.

  • It does not grant Wales the same privilege as the north of Ireland within the Single Market and Customs Union.

  • The agreement does not contain provisions for a People’s Vote.

Plaid Cymru's Adam Price said the current withdrawal agreement Credit: PA Images