Nicola Sturgeon has hit out after “frustrating” Downing Street summit on the UK’s Brexit plans
Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon has blasted Theresa May's approach to Brexit after attending a Downing Street summit for the leaders of devolved authorities.
Sturgeon called for a flexible Brexit deal earlier today, but left the first Joint Ministerial Council meeting for more than two years claiming she had learned little.
After two hours of talks, the Scottish politician said the government had failed to provide any information on their ambitions from Brexit.
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“I don't know any more now about the UK government's approach to the EU negotiations than before I went into the meeting,” Sturgeon told the BBC, describing the meeting as both “frank” and “frustrating”.
Earlier today, May warned representatives of devolved authorities not to "undermine" Brexit talks, but Sturgeon shot back: "I'm not seeking to undermine anyone. I don't know what the UK's negotiating position is, so there's nothing there that I can see to undermine."
Ahead of the summit, May said she would offer national leaders a new sub-committee to liase with Brexit secretary David Davis, but Sturgeon said the programme needed further detail.
“We've still got a lot of work to do to develop a work programme for that group that integrates with the overall decision making process so that we can meaningfully influence the shape of these discussions,” she said.
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Sturgeon's sentiments were echoed by Welsh first minister Carwyn Jones, who said that uncertainty about “what success will look like” made it difficult for devolved authorities to wield a positive influence.
“I welcome the fact the UK government has conceded to the demands of the devolved administrations to meet more frequently, and for us to have a meaningful role in developing the future work relating to Brexit,” he said.
Despite the complaints, Downing Street has described the meeting as "constructive", with May telling her guests that Brexit should not be seen as a series of binary choices, adding it is "imperative" the devolved administrations play their part.
“We have important work to do for the UK in terms of negotiating a smooth exit from the EU and getting the best possible deal for the whole of the UK," May said.
The quintet also held discussions on a regular, annual, schedule for JMC meetings.