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Nicola Sturgeon to unveil Brexit plan alternative Sturgeon: 'Time to compromise' on Brexit
(about 3 hours later)
The Scottish government is due to set out what it calls a "common sense" alternative to the UK government's Brexit plans. Nicola Sturgeon has said it is "time to compromise" to find a "common sense" solution to Brexit, as she sets out her alternative plans in a new paper.
A new paper will press the case for continued membership of the single market and customs union. Scotland's first minister reiterated her backing for UK membership of the single market and customs union.
It is due out as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon gives a speech in London. She said MPs should not be "railroaded" into accepting a bad deal by fears that no deal would be "a catastrophe".
She will warn that MPs "should not be railroaded into accepting a bad or blindfold deal on the grounds that no deal would be a catastrophe". The UK government said it had put forward "a precise and credible plan" for a future relationship with the EU.
The UK government said it had put forward "a precise and credible plan" for the UK's future relationship with the EU.
The so-called Chequers plan involves the UK and EU sharing a "common rulebook" for goods, but not services, so a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland can be avoided.The so-called Chequers plan involves the UK and EU sharing a "common rulebook" for goods, but not services, so a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland can be avoided.
Ms Sturgeon said this plan had been rejected by European leaders and could not command the support of MPs in any case, saying that "a head in the sand approach will not make the Chequers ostrich fly".
And she said it was "time for individual MPs to consider what compromises they think are justified" to reach a "common sense" outcome.
On Sunday, the BBC learned that Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson and Scottish Secretary David Mundell could resign from their roles over a possible Brexit compromise.On Sunday, the BBC learned that Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson and Scottish Secretary David Mundell could resign from their roles over a possible Brexit compromise.
In a letter to the prime minister they said they would not support any deal that introduces different arrangements for Northern Ireland.In a letter to the prime minister they said they would not support any deal that introduces different arrangements for Northern Ireland.
UK government sources have warned that Brexit negotiations have hit a "real problem" over the issue of the Irish border.UK government sources have warned that Brexit negotiations have hit a "real problem" over the issue of the Irish border.
The EU is believed to be seeking further reassurances to prevent the return of a so-called hard border involving physical checks.The EU is believed to be seeking further reassurances to prevent the return of a so-called hard border involving physical checks.
'False choice''False choice'
Speaking ahead of her address in London, Ms Sturgeon said: "The UK is scheduled to leave the European Union less than six months from now - but both a withdrawal agreement and a clear, detailed statement on the future relationship must be concluded much sooner. Speaking in London, Ms Sturgeon said: "The UK is scheduled to leave the European Union less than six months from now - but both a withdrawal agreement and a clear, detailed statement on the future relationship must be concluded much sooner.
"As things stand, we still have no guarantee of a transition agreement or a detailed proposition setting out the future trading relationship between the UK and EU."As things stand, we still have no guarantee of a transition agreement or a detailed proposition setting out the future trading relationship between the UK and EU.
"The UK government seems intent on presenting a false choice between whatever bad, possibly blindfold, deal they manage to conclude and a no-deal scenario."The UK government seems intent on presenting a false choice between whatever bad, possibly blindfold, deal they manage to conclude and a no-deal scenario.
"However, the Scottish government will this week set out our common sense, workable alternative and make clear why we believe there is now an opportunity to seize an alternative path.""However, the Scottish government will this week set out our common sense, workable alternative and make clear why we believe there is now an opportunity to seize an alternative path."
Ms Sturgeon added: "Scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU, and our duty as a government is to work as hard as we can to ensure that vote is respected and for Scotland's key interests to be protected.Ms Sturgeon added: "Scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU, and our duty as a government is to work as hard as we can to ensure that vote is respected and for Scotland's key interests to be protected.
"That means staying in the customs union and single market, which is around eight times bigger than the UK market alone."That means staying in the customs union and single market, which is around eight times bigger than the UK market alone.
"With time running short, the UK government must take stock and listen to our proposals which have the interests of the people of Scotland and the rest of the UK at their heart.""With time running short, the UK government must take stock and listen to our proposals which have the interests of the people of Scotland and the rest of the UK at their heart."
A spokesman for the UK government's Department for Exiting the European Union (Dexeu) said: "We will have an ambitious course outside of the EU that enhances our prosperity and security and that genuinely works for everyone across the UK.A spokesman for the UK government's Department for Exiting the European Union (Dexeu) said: "We will have an ambitious course outside of the EU that enhances our prosperity and security and that genuinely works for everyone across the UK.
"We have put forward a precise and credible plan for our future relationship with the EU and look forward to continuing to engage with the EU Commission on our proposals.""We have put forward a precise and credible plan for our future relationship with the EU and look forward to continuing to engage with the EU Commission on our proposals."
Last month, Ms Sturgeon called for Brexit to be delayed beyond next March if the UK had not secured a detailed agreement with the EU by then.Last month, Ms Sturgeon called for Brexit to be delayed beyond next March if the UK had not secured a detailed agreement with the EU by then.
She told the BBC it would be "absolutely reckless" to leave without knowing what would replace the country's existing relationship.She told the BBC it would be "absolutely reckless" to leave without knowing what would replace the country's existing relationship.
Mrs May has said delay is "not an option".Mrs May has said delay is "not an option".
Negotiations over the terms of the UK's exit and future relations have reached a critical stage, with the UK scheduled to leave on 29 March.Negotiations over the terms of the UK's exit and future relations have reached a critical stage, with the UK scheduled to leave on 29 March.