Richard Leonard: SNP using Brexit as a 'political opportunity'

Nicola Sturgeon has used Brexit as a 'political opportunity' to divert attention away from devolved issues such as health and local government, according to Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard.

Scottish Labour Leader Richard Leonard (Picture: John Devlin)

He said the SNP could not be trusted on the issue and could not accept the result of the EU vote.

As MSPs returned to Holyrood today, Mr Leonard also criticised the Scottish Government’s budget, which he said would fail to raise enough money to support public services.

Brexit and the SNP administration’s plans to increase income tax in Scotland are expected to dominate the political debate during the coming months. The government is shortly to release its predictions of the post-Brexit economic impact, as part of a push to remain in the single market.

Ms Sturgeon has called on Labour to unite behind this position, with Jeremy Corbyn’s party facing accusations of being “unclear” on its Brexit stance.

Mr Leonard said: “The people of Scotland can’t trust the SNP when it comes to Brexit – it is a political opportunity for the Nationalists to divert attention away from their record in government and towards their obsession with the constitution.

“The Scottish Parliament should be focusing instead on tackling poverty and inequality, growing ­Scotland’s economy and sharing the benefits of that economy.”