Alex Salmond: SNP could vote to trigger Brexit

The SNP last night appeared split over Brexit when Alex Salmond said the party could vote with the UK government for Article 50 if 'red line' demands for Scotland were met.

Alex Salmond said the SNP could back Brexit if their demands were met. Picture: Ian West/PA Wire

The former SNP leader said the party’s 54 MPs could support legislation to trigger Article 50 if Theresa May accommodates Nicola Sturgeon’s wishes contradicting recent remarks by Ms Sturgeon’s Brexit minister Michael Russell.

Mr Russell has said he cannot imagine any circumstances in which SNP MPs would vote in favour of starting the process of leaving the EU.

During his LBC radio phone-in show, Mr Salmond was asked if the SNP would vote against whatever bill the UK government brings forward or try to block the triggering of Article 50.

He said: “No, the SNP MPs will put forward what the First Minister has articulated in terms of Scotland’s red lines, if the government accommodates these within the bill we could end up supporting it.

“If the government doesn’t accommodate these within the bill, then we will seek to amend it, and we will seek to make that process for the government as uncomfortable as possible.

“If the government does not respond to Scotland’s wishes …then of course we wouldn’t be supporting the government.”