'Brexit deal is a shambles' - MP

THE situation surrounding the UK’s draft Brexit agreement with the EU was branded a shambles yesterday.

Following Brexit secretary Dominic Raab’s resignation, Drew Hendry – SNP MP for Inverness and Nairn – spoke out against it following Prime Minister Theresa May’s announcement that her cabinet was backing the deal which will see the UK exit the EU on March 29.

Mr Hendry said: “It is a deal that does nothing to address the concerns we have been calling to be addressed.

“In a document of 500-plus pages, there is not one mention of Scotland. Northern Ireland features, and we welcome that, but it highlights the complete and utter disrespect shown to Scotland and what the Scottish Government have been calling for all along.

“It is clear that the draft is a fudge and it is very, very likely to fail in parliament.

“You have to ask what the UK Brexit secretary was doing. What was his job?

“This is the guy who had no idea about the importance of Calais and Dover for trade. It is clear that he had very little say in the negotiations and the whole thing is just a shambles.”

The SNP’s Westminster leader Ian Blackford – SNP MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber – has described the Brexit deal as “dead in the water”.

He said: “It is now clear that there is not a majority for this deal or a no deal. The Prime Minister must go back to Brussels – and extend Article 50 and tell Brussels that we must remain in the Single Market and the Customs Union – anything less will lead to economic chaos and crisis.”

In a still unfolding and fast-mving situation Mrs May has insisted the deal will deliver a Brexit people voted for.

The majority of voters in Scotland voted to stay in the EU.