The Brexit Secretary insists that the \

The Brexit Secretary insists that the "Spirit of Devolution" has been respected.

Steven Barclay has written to ministers in Scotland and Wales

The UK Government said it respects "the spirit and the letter of the devolution settlement" as it presses ahead with Brexit without consent from the devolved administrations.

In letters sent to Scottish and Welsh ministers addressing their refusal to give legislative consent to Boris Johnson's Brexit deal, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union Steve Barclay said he recognised the "significant role" played by the legislative consent process.

He said despite the Sewel Convention holding that the UK Government should "not normally" press ahead without legislative consent motions from devolved administrations, the circumstances of the UK's departure from the EU are "specific, singular and exceptional".

Earlier this month, MSPs at Holyrood voted by 92 votes to 29 to reject Mr Johnson's Withdrawal Agreement Bill, while Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford has urged assembly members to vote it down when it comes to the Senedd.

Members of the newly-restored Stormont Assembly in Belfast are also expected to reject the deal.

Under the devolution agreement, legislative consent is required for issues affecting devolved policy areas.

Published: by Radio NewsHub
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