Scottish and Welsh leaders threaten to block Brexit laws
17 July 2017
First ministers of Scotland and Wales threaten constitutional crisis over Great Repeal Bill.
The Telegraph has reported that the Scottish and Welsh governments have threatened to withhold their consent for the Great Repeal Bill after it emerged that new powers will not automatically be passed from the EU straight to the devolved administrations.
In a joint statement, first ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Carwyn Jones described the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill as a "naked power-grab" that undermined the principles of devolution.
David Mundell, the Scottish Secretary, dismissed the claim, insisting that the legislation would lead to a "power bonanza" for the Scottish Parliament, with new powers being transferred north of the border "as soon as possible".
He also confirmed the approval of the Scottish Parliament through a legislative consent motion would be required for the bill, which is designed to transpose EU law into British law so the same rules apply on the day of Brexit as the day before, but said he was confident it would be forthcoming.
In their statement, Ms Sturgeon and Mr Jones said that last week began with the Prime Minister calling for a constructive and collaborative approach from those outside Whitehall to help get Brexit right, however the publication of this Bill is the first test as to whether the UK Government is serious about such an approach and it has failed utterly.