PMQs: Boris Johnson faces ‘rogue state’ claims over Brexit plan

Controversial plans to create a UK "single market" after the Brexit transition period have been branded an "attack on Scotland's Parliament" during heated Commons exchanges.

Boris Johnson dismissed concerns

SNP Westminster leader an Blackford warned that the UK was in danger of becoming as "rogue state" over the proposals which will be introduced when the Brexit transition period ends at the start of next year.

But the claims were branded "illogical" by Prime Minister Boris Johnson who insisted it will mean a massive transfer of power to Holyrood.

Mr Blackford branded the UK Internal Market Bill proposals "nothing short of an attack on Scotland's Parliament and an affront to the people of Scotland" at Prime Minister's questions today.

He said: "This legislation breaks international law, but it also breaks domestic law. The Prime Minister and his friends... are creating a rogue state, one where the rule of law does not apply. Why does the PM think that he and his friends are above the law?

"We saw the PM breaking the law last year with the prorogation of Parliament, we've seen the behaviour of Dominic Cummings and we know that this Government's prepared to break its international obligations and what the Prime Minister said is complete rubbish and the Prime Minister knows this."

The Bill aims to guarantee companies can trade unhindered in every part of the UK and replaces the provisions of the EU single market when the Brexit transition period ceases at the end of the year.

Brexit will see Holyrood and the other devolved nations handed new controls over areas such as animal welfare, food regulations and the environment. But there are fears that this may lead to new barriers to trade between different parts of the UK.

But Mr Blackford added: "Scotland is speaking out and I state that the Scottish Parliament will reject this attack on devolution. So the question is will the PM break domestic law, disregard the settled will of the Scottish people, ignore the concerns of Scotland's communities and press ahead with this Bill?

"The time for Scotland's place as an independent, international, law-abiding nation is almost here, our time has come."

But Johnson pledged to press on with this Bill.

“I believe that his attacks on it are totally illogical, it actually represents a very substantial transfer of powers, of sovereignty to Scotland, to Wales... it is a massive devolutionary act," he said.

"It also ensures the integrity of the UK internal market and he speaks of a transfer of powers to the UK Government, on the contrary what he would do is transfer powers not just over competition and state aids back to Brussels, but of course over fisheries too and that is the policy of the SNP and it would be a disaster for our country."

He added: "This UK Internal Market Bill is about protecting jobs, protecting growth, ensuring the fluidity and safety of our UK internal market and prosperity throughout the UK and it should be welcomed, I believe, in Scotland, in Northern Ireland, in Wales and throughout the whole country."

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