JIM Sillars has renewed his support for the UK Government’s position that there is no Brexit “power grab” in a letter to Scottish Secretary David Mundell.
The former SNP deputy leader insisted none of Holyrood’s current powers are being taken away, and that the plans amounted to “no grab at all” – putting him in direct opposition to his party's leadership.
He also backed the creation of “free trade zones” around Scotland’s ports after Brexit – offering relief from customs and import tariffs, as well as tax incentives to boost business.
It comes as tensions between the Scottish and UK governments continue to escalate, with warnings Holyrood will not give consent to any further Brexit legislation until the "broken" devolution system is fixed.
Mr Sillars previously said plans by UK ministers to temporarily keep hold of some devolved powers after leaving the EU were “sensible”.
In a letter to Mr Mundell, he argued the “positive aspects of Brexit” should be recognised.
He said leaving the EU offered the opportunity to push for a “two-tier procurement policy” which would favour local companies for all major construction contracts under £1.5 billion.
And he also backed the idea of free trade zones, which UK ministers are said to be enthusiastically pursuing for the north of England.
They have reportedly highlighted seven ports – including Hull Port and Manchester airport – where competitive measures could be brought in to boost international trade by £12bn a year.
Mr Sillars wrote: “May I ask why your office has not put forward such a proposal for Scotland, when we have Prestwick Airport and the natural deep water facility at Hunterston in close proximity to each other, in a country crying out for development, when these types of assets are essential for a successful free trade zone?
“So far, I have not seen anything coming from the Scottish Government either. Would it not be for the public good if you and they got together, to ensure that if the free trade zone policy emerges with official UK Government backing, that Scotland is in the mix?”
Mr Sillars’ latest intervention comes just a week after he blamed First Minister Nicola Sturgeon for the current stand-off between Holyrood and Westminster.
He said she had “catastrophically miscalculated” her strategy, while the SNP has been left in the “ludicrous position” of demanding powers from Westminster that it promises an independent Scotland will hand back to Brussels.
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