David Mundell: No circumstances where Scotland can remain in EU

There are no circumstances in which Scotland can remain in the EU when the UK leaves, the Scottish Secretary will tell MSPs this week.

Scottish Secretary David Mundell speaks on the third day of the Conservative party conference at the ICC in Birmingham. Picture: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

David Mundell is due to give evidence to the Holyrood’s Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee tomorrow.

The Conservative MP will use his appearance at Parliament to state that Scotland will leave the EU with the UK at the end of the Brexit process.

He will say in his opening statement: “I think it is important to be clear, that Scotland will not be in the EU at the end of this process. There is no set of circumstances in which Scotland could remain a member of the EU after the rest of the UK has left.

“If Scotland’s constitutional position were ever to change, it would have to apply to be a member of the EU afresh – and we should not make easy assumptions about the length of time this would take.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said a second referendum on independence is “highly likely” following the Brexit vote.

Responding to Mr Mundell’s comments, a spokesman for Scotland’s Brexit minister SNP MSP Michael Russell said: “Scotland faces being dragged out of Europe against its will by a Tory government with just one MP out of 59 in Scotland, “David Mundell – seems totally oblivious to the irony of him seeking to lay down the law.” on what should happen next.”

“The Scottish Government has put forward compromise proposals to keep Scotland in the single market, which is around eight times bigger than the UK market alone - but that compromise has not been matched by the UK Government.

“Scotland is now faced with a right-wing Tory government we didn’t vote for intent on taking us off a hard Brexit cliff edge which would be catastrophic for jobs and livelihoods.

“The Tories now clearly think they can do what they want to Scotland and people will simply accept it - but the Scottish Government is determined to stand up for Scotland’s democratic voice and we will pursue every necessary option to protect our place in Europe.”