THE First Minister has attacked Boris Johnson's new deal with the EU, calling it "worse even" than the one previously brought forward by Theresa May.
Speaking to Radio Clyde Nicola Sturgeon said the arrangements were not compatible with Scotland's interests and her party will not vote for them.
The SNP leader commented on proposals for Northern Ireland after Brexit, which would see special arrangements put in place to ensure there is no hard border on the island of Ireland.
Northern Ireland Assembly members will be able to vote every four years to determine whether those arrangements will continue.
🎥 “It’s hard to imagine a deal that could be worse from the perspective of Scotland’s interests” @NicolaSturgeon has been reacting to the Brexit deal agreed by Boris Johnson in Brussels this morning 👇🏼 pic.twitter.com/GSJgv7Bdqx
— Radio Clyde News (@RadioClydeNews) October 17, 2019
Sturgeon said: "The SNP will not vote for this deal because it’s a bad deal for Scotland – worse even than the one Theresa May tried to get through the House of Commons. In fact it’s hard to imagine a deal that could be worse from the perspective of Scotland’s interests. It would take us out of the EU, single market, customs union against our will.
"The prospect of a much harder Brexit after a transition period is definitely there and it would place us at a competitive disadvantage with Northern Ireland, and leave us as the only part of the UK with no say over our relationship with Europe."
"England and Wales voted to leave, Northern Ireland like Scotland voted to remain – but it’s being offered arrangements to give it a say over its future relationship with Europe. Scotland would be left with no say and no respect for how we voted. SNP MPs cannot vote for that and will not vote for that because our job is to stand up for Scotland’s interests – not sell them down the river."
Earlier, Tory Cabinet member Michael Gove said the plan was a "great deal" and praised the fact that Northern Ireland's people would get to vote to decide on their future every four years.
He said: "A majority of the people in Northern Ireland will be able to decide whether or not they want the arrangements of this deal to persist in the future."
READ MORE: Mike Russell slams Gove over 'untenable' position on indyref2
Scotland's Constitutional Relations Secretary Mike Russell hit out at this position, calling it "untenable".
On Twitter, he posted: “'Future of Northern Ireland is now decided by the people of Northern Ireland' says @michaelgove - a principle that, however, he refuses to accept when applied to Scotland. That will prove to be an untenable position."
Gove had previously said he would respond to a Section 30 request for indyref2 to be held with a "flat no".
It is not yet clear whether or not the new Brexit deal will pass through the House of Commons when MPs sit on Saturday.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel