THERESA May has "ram raided" Scotland into a chaotic Hard Brexit it was claimed last night following reports the Prime Minister is likely to have the authority to formally begin the process of leaving the EU as early as Tuesday.
Last night, Downing Street refused to comment on the reports and stated that "our line is unchanged", reaffirming that Article 50 would be triggered by the end of March.
However, the Scottish Government said the news was a "measure of the failure" of the UK's Government approach to Scotland since the referendum vote to leave the EU last year.
European leaders were reportedly preparing for the UK to begin Brexit imminently, amid signs that May could activate Article 50, as early as Tuesday.
During a summit of the remaining 27 EU members in Brussels, leaders were told to expect May to trigger exit talks next week and to prepare for a Brussels gathering on April 6 to respond to the UK's formal letter of notification.
One UK government official involved in the process reportedly said he “hoped” that Article 50 could begin on Tuesday when May is due to address MPs, but would certainly start by the end of the week.
Donald Tusk, the EU Council president, said that other European capitals would be ready to issue draft “guidelines” for negotiations within 48 hours. The EU is “well prepared for all procedures”, he said, at the conclusion of a meeting at which Europe’s political elite continued fleshing out plans for life without the UK in the bloc.
May faces votes in both houses of parliament tomorrow which are likely to give her the authority to begin Brexit.
She will make a statement to parliament on this week’s Brussels summit on Tuesday, a day later than usual, prompting speculation that she may use the moment to start the two-year negotiation period.
A Scottish Government spokesperson accused the Tory government of rushing Scotland into a hard Brexit before talks with the devolved administration had been completed.
The spokesperson said: "It is a measure of the failure of the UK Government to consult meaningfully with the devolved administrations that we do not know either the date of triggering or what will be in the letter that does so.
“The UK Government has previously indicated it would not be triggering Article 50 until there was an agreed ‘UK approach and objectives for negotiations’ – and our position remains that it is essential UK ministers establish a position that properly reflects all parts of the UK ahead of Article 50 being triggered.
“People in Scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU but instead of listening to Scotland as they promised, the UK Government now seems determined to impose a hard Brexit at any cost.”
Former First Minister Henry McLeish branded the move to trigger Brexit this week as "Conservative madness".
He said: "This is confirmation of our worst fears that Brexit will be ram raided through parliament.
"Theresa May is leading us towards a catastrophe and if these reports are true it's an insult to Scotland to have this imposed in this way.
"However, it should embolden all of us to do our best to oppose this irresponsible behaviour from the Prime Minister and what is Conservative madness."
The reports about Article 50 being triggered this week came as Jeremy Corbyn stated that Labour is prepared to fight to keep Scotland in the UK for a second time, saying it is "absolutely fine" for another vote to be held.
Corbyn said he did not think that Westminster should seek to block another independence referendum if Sturgeon insists on holding one.
His comments come amid persistent speculation that Sturgeon is about to demand a Section 30 order from Westminster, allowing a legally binding vote on Scotland's place in the UK to be held.
Corbyn, speaking during a visit to Glasgow yesterday, said: "If a referendum is held then it is absolutely fine, it should be held. I don't think it's the job of Westminster or the Labour Party to prevent people holding referenda."
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