Holyrood and Westminster in court showdown over Brexit "power grab"

The constitutional stand-off over Brexit between Holyrood and Westminster is to be settled by the UK Supreme Court it has been confirmed.

UK Attorney general Jeremy Wright and Scotland Advocate General Lord Keen announced they are referring Holyrood's Brexit Bill to the law courts today, warning it risked "serious legal uncertainty for individuals and businesses."

Mr Wright added: "This reference is a protective measure which we are taking in the public interest. The Government very much hopes this issue will be resolved without the need to continue with this litigation”.

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The EU Continuity Bill was passed by MSPs at Holyrood earlier this year, despite a warning by Holyrood's Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh the legislation was outwith the competence of the Scottish Parliament.

Scotland's Advocate general Lord keen said it is important to "seek clarity."Scotland's Advocate general Lord keen said it is important to "seek clarity."
Scotland's Advocate general Lord keen said it is important to "seek clarity."
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Lord Keen added: “By referring the Scottish Parliament’s Continuity Bill to the Supreme Court, we are seeking legal certainty as to its competence. Given the Presiding Officer’s view at introduction that the Bill was not within the legal scope of the Parliament, we believe it is important to ask the Court to provide absolute clarity.

"In doing so we are following the process set out in the Scotland Act 1998. Particularly in the run up to Brexit, it is vital that we avoid legal uncertainty in our statute book.”

Scotland's Advocate general Lord keen said it is important to "seek clarity."Scotland's Advocate general Lord keen said it is important to "seek clarity."
Scotland's Advocate general Lord keen said it is important to "seek clarity."

He added: "The Continuity Bill is necessary because of the failure of the UK Government to respect devolution in its own legislation. It is the only means available to our parliament to protect devolution and prepare Scotland’s laws for Brexit, and the Lord Advocate — Scotland’s most senior law officer — has made clear he considers the bill to be competent.

“However, the Tories have made clear from their actions that they intend to use Brexit to undermine devolution, to centralise power in Westminster and to worsen Scotland’s democratic deficit."