Lothian MSP Gordon Lindhurst has criticised SNP Brexit Secretary Mike Russell after he continued to play constitutional games rather than commit to passing important health legislation.
The Scottish Conservative MSP had questioned Mr Russell on the legislative arrangements surrounding Healthcare for EU and British Citizens following the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union.
This was after the SNP’s Programme for Government had committed to opposing any legislation from the UK Government regarding Brexit, and Mr Russell giving a lukewarm answer to Scottish Conservative MSP Adam Tomkins last week on the bill.
In responding to Mr Lindhurst, Mr Russell instead called on UK Government Minister David Lidington to use an appearance in the Scottish Parliament tomorrow to accept the Scottish Government’s recommendations when it comes to legislative consent motions.
Commenting Gordon Lindhurst MSP said: “Every time Mike Russell speaks about Brexit, it is designed to try and create more grievance politics, rather than commit to passing legislation on key issues.
“While we now know a Programme for Government commitment to oppose UK Brexit legislation is now dead in the water, it seems as though the Cabinet Secretary still wants to play constitutional games when it comes to future healthcare arrangements for both EU and British Citizens.
“This only goes to expose the SNP Government’s policy on Brexit, which has been the same from the start; advancing their cause for a second independence referendum.
“I would have hoped Mike Russell could have responded to me, outlining a firm commitment that important legislation regarding Healthcare Arrangements would be carried out without further grievance, or calls to the UK Government to take different approaches.”