TWO of the SNP's most senior figures have contradicted each other over a possible post-Brexit transfer of powers from Brussels to Holyrood.
Speaking a week before June's referendum, John Swinney forcefully dismissed leave campaign claims that quitting the EU would mean Edinburgh would be handed more control in devolved policy areas, branding the argument a "Tory con trick".
The Deputy First Minister said: "Leaving the EU does not mean extra powers would be transferred to the Scottish Parliament - the powers would go straight back from Brussels to Westminster, who would have absolutely no obligation to devolve anything."
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However, since the UK voted for Brexit, other high-ranking SNP politicians have said the opposite, arguing that because anything not explicitly reserved comes under Holyrood's remit, the powers of the Scottish Parliament will automatically be boosted.
Alex Salmond, the former First Minister, said at Westminster last week that "everything is devolved to Scotland unless it is reserved". He added: "Agriculture and fisheries are not reserved; therefore, they are devolved. Unless the Government intend to change that position, agriculture and fisheries will automatically go to the Scottish Government."
Tory MSP Alex Johnstone said that Mr Swinney had known all along that his pre-referendum claims were untrue.
He said: "The SNP has form for saying one thing before a referendum, only for the truth afterwards to turn out completely differently. John Swinney knew fine well Scotland could get more powers in the event of Brexit, but just couldn’t bring himself to admit it publicly. But now the game has changed the SNP is only too happy to appeal for these new controls."
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Nicola Sturgeon has said the Scottish Government will demand "all the powers in our areas of responsibility that lie with the EU", and others, in negotiations over the UK's post-Brexit settlement.
She did not specify whether devolved competencies would automatically be transferred or if, as Mr Swinney stated, SNP ministers would have to cross their fingers for a "Damascene conversation" from Tory right wingers.
Scottish Secretary David Mundell has said there will be a "debate and discussion" about farming and fisheries policy, but refused to offer firm commitments over new powers other than to say none would be "re-reserved". He added: "Obviously, the devolution settlements are going to be changed."
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A spokesman for Michael Russell, the SNP Brexit minister, said: "We warned during the referendum campaign that Tory and Leave campaign promises of new powers after Brexit - such as Michael Gove’s suggestion Holyrood would gain control of immigration - were highly unlikely to be matched by the reality. And while we would expect all matters not expressly reserved by the Scotland Act to be devolved, the UK Government should provide clarity on that point."
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