This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-46328763

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Sturgeon hits out at prime minister's 'desperate' EU appeal EU leaders still hope for post-Brexit fishing quotas
(35 minutes later)
Nicola Sturgeon has described the prime minister's public appeal to get behind her Brexit agreement as a "desperate" attempt to justify a bad deal. Nicola Sturgeon has warned of broken promises over fishing as EU leaders agreed to Theresa May's Brexit deal.
The first minister also said an EU statement, issued as the deal was signed off in Brussels, broke promises made to the fishing industry. A document published by the remaining 27 EU countries made clear they hoped to negotiate access to UK waters based on existing quotas.
In a letter to the British public, Theresa May said the agreement heralded a brighter future for the UK. Ms Sturgeon said that could not be squared with promises made to the UK fishing industry.
The EU's 27 leaders approved the deal, after less than an hour's discussion. Theresa May has said her deal would take the UK out of the controversial Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).
In a letter to the nation Mrs May said leaving the EU next year would be "a moment of renewal and reconciliation for our whole country". The prime minister and EU27 leaders approved the Brexit deal on Sunday after less than an hour's discussion at a meeting in Brussels.
The 800-word message said the UK would "take back control" of laws and money which, it suggested, could be spent on the NHS. But a document published online made clear the remaining EU members were still seeking to negotiate continued access to UK fishing grounds during the two-year transition period.
Ms Sturgeon tweeted that "almost nothing in this desperate letter is true". The document said a fishing deal was a priority and "should build on, inter alia, existing reciprocal access and quota shares".
She said the UK Parliament should consider "better alternatives", such as remaining in the single market and customs union permanently - and she urged MPs to reject it. Scottish Secretary David Mundell has previously said he could not support any extension of CFP rules beyond 2020.
She also highlighted a document published by the 27 countries that will remain in the EU on Sunday which suggested that a future fishing deal "should build on, inter alia, existing reciprocal access and quota shares". Ms Sturgeon tweeted: "I'll be interested to hear David Mundell explain howthis - 'existing reciprocal access and quota shares' - can be squared with the promises made to the Scottish fishing industry. (Hint - it can't)."
The document said a fishing deal was a priority and should be negotiated early in the transition period. EU27 fishing document: Analysis by BBC Scotland chief political correspondent Glenn Campbell
But Ms Sturgeon said that could not be squared with promises made to Scotland's fishing industry.
EU27 fishing document: Analysis by BBC chief political correspondent Glenn Campbell
The Brexit deal has implications for the debate over Scottish independence and the future of fishing.The Brexit deal has implications for the debate over Scottish independence and the future of fishing.
The withdrawal agreement does not let Scottish Conservatives off the hook over the fishing industry.The withdrawal agreement does not let Scottish Conservatives off the hook over the fishing industry.
All 13 Scottish Tory MPs demanded exit from the common fisheries policy by 2020 and insisted "access and quota shares cannot be included" in the future economic partnership.All 13 Scottish Tory MPs demanded exit from the common fisheries policy by 2020 and insisted "access and quota shares cannot be included" in the future economic partnership.
Both the UK and EU say they'll use "best endeavours" to conclude a new fisheries agreement by 2020 but the EU has certainly not given up on keeping its current share of the UK catch.Both the UK and EU say they'll use "best endeavours" to conclude a new fisheries agreement by 2020 but the EU has certainly not given up on keeping its current share of the UK catch.
A statement agreed by the EU27 makes clear they will prioritise an agreement that builds on "existing reciprocal access and quota shares".A statement agreed by the EU27 makes clear they will prioritise an agreement that builds on "existing reciprocal access and quota shares".
In short, the fight over fishing is deferred.In short, the fight over fishing is deferred.
Read Glenn's analysis in fullRead Glenn's analysis in full
The EU's Common Fisheries Policy and the access it gives other nations to UK waters is deeply unpopular with Scotland's fishermen. The SNP leader also criticised Theresa May's appeal to the public to get behind the Brexit deal.
In her letter to the nation the prime minister insists the deal will take the UK "out of the Common Fisheries Policy that has failed our coastal communities". In a letter to the nation Mrs May has said leaving the EU next year would be "a moment of renewal and reconciliation for our whole country".
The Aberdeen South MP Ross Thomson, the only Scottish Tory who has so far said he will vote against the deal in the House of Commons, said the EU document was "troubling" and should be resisted in negotiations. The 800-word message said the UK would "take back control" of laws and money which, it suggested, could be spent on the NHS."
But Ms Sturgeon tweeted that "almost nothing in this desperate letter is true".
She said the UK Parliament should consider "better alternatives", such as remaining in the single market and customs union permanently - and she urged MPs to reject it.
In Brussels, French president Emmanuel Macron stressed the importance his country placed on fishing in future talks.
He said "all of our fishermen will be protected", with the French planning to "defend access as part of the indispensable balance".
The Aberdeen South MP Ross Thomson, the only Scottish Tory who has so far said he will vote against the Brexit deal in the House of Commons, said the EU27 document was "troubling".
He told the BBC's Sunday Politics Scotland: "The arrangement that we have on fisheries has been devastating to fishing communities across Scotland and across the whole of the UK.He told the BBC's Sunday Politics Scotland: "The arrangement that we have on fisheries has been devastating to fishing communities across Scotland and across the whole of the UK.
Red lines
"It's in the interest of the EU to keep it going and they want to build on those existing arrangements, so to my mind that can only mean the continuation of some form of common fisheries policy."It's in the interest of the EU to keep it going and they want to build on those existing arrangements, so to my mind that can only mean the continuation of some form of common fisheries policy.
"It may not be called that but if it looks like the CFP and behaves like the CFP, it is the CFP.""It may not be called that but if it looks like the CFP and behaves like the CFP, it is the CFP."
Scottish Secretary David Mundell has previously said he could not support any extension of CFP rules beyond 2020. Mrs May, in her letter to the nation, insisted that the UK would become and independent coastal state with "full control over our waters".
Labour has written to Mr Mundell asking him to clarify his position in light of the document. She wrote: "We will be out of EU programmes that do not work in our interests: out of the Common Agricultural Policy that has failed our farmers, and out of the Common Fisheries Policy that has failed our coastal communities."
Red line
Labour, however, has written to Scottish Secertary David Mundell asking him to clarify his position in light of the EU document.
Shadow Scottish Secretary Lesley Laird wrote: "I do not need to tell you that this is a clear breach of your red line on fishing.Shadow Scottish Secretary Lesley Laird wrote: "I do not need to tell you that this is a clear breach of your red line on fishing.
"I would therefore be grateful if you were able to clarify that you will not be voting for the deal on this basis."I would therefore be grateful if you were able to clarify that you will not be voting for the deal on this basis.
"If that is the case, I really must ask why you have not resigned your position in the Cabinet?""If that is the case, I really must ask why you have not resigned your position in the Cabinet?"