WATCH: MPs groan at rambling SNP as Angus Robertson demands Article 50 delay AGAIN
THERESA MAY today dismissed a demand from SNP deputy leader Angus Robertson for Brexit to be delayed due to the ongoing political crisis in Northern Ireland.
MP Robertson BLASTED as he suggests article 50 DELAY
On Monday, Martin McGuinness resigned as Northern Ireland’s deputy first minister to put at risk the country’s devolved power-sharing government.
The Sinn Fein veteran's move, in protest at the Democratic Unionist Party's handling of a botched renewable energy scheme, also forced Arlene Foster from her post as first minister.
Mr Robertson, whose party is demanding the UK retains ties with Brussels, this afternoon urged the Prime Minister to put off the triggering of Article 50 and EU divorce talks until a solution to the Stormont crisis was found.
Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, the Scottish nationalist said: “The Prime Minister has indicated she wants to take the views of the elected representatives and the devolved institutions on Brexit seriously.
“So it stands to reason then - if there is no Northern Irish Assembly and there is no Northern Irish executive for much of the time before the March timetable that she has set before invoking Article 50 - that she'll be unable to properly consult, to fully discuss and to find agreement on the complex issues during this time period.”
To groans from the House of Commons’, Mr Robertson added: “In these circumstances will the Prime Minister postpone invoking Article 50? Will she postpone Article 50 or will she just plough on regardless?”
Will she postpone Article 50 or will she just plough on regardless?
But Mrs May ruled out delaying the triggering of Article 50 beyond the end of March, as she expressed her hope of reaching a political solution in the Northern Ireland assembly within the next week.
Noting how ministers are still in place in Northern Ireland and her efforts in hearing the views of the Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) of devolved nations, the Prime Minister replied: “I'm clear that first of all we want to try to ensure that within this period of seven days we find a resolution to the political situation in Northern Ireland so that we can continue to see the Assembly government continuing.
“But I'm also clear in the discussions we have it will be possible - it is still the case that actually ministers are in place and that, obviously, there are executives in place - that we are still able to take the views of the Northern Ireland people.”
Earlier in the session, Mrs May confirmed a snap election would be held in Northern Ireland if a deputy first minister cannot be found within seven days.
Last night, the Prime Minister spoke by telephone to Republic of Ireland Taoiseach Enda Kenny, in which they agreed their governments would work “very closely together over the next few days and months to support the parties of Northern Ireland in finding a resolution”.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister also said how important it was to make sure that Northern Ireland’s voice and interests are heard as we prepare to leave EU and how the Northern Ireland Secretary is fully committed to making this happen.
“She added that it was still our intention to hold a Joint Ministerial Committee at the end of the month to bring the devolved nations together in getting the best deal for the whole of the United Kingdom.
“They also agreed to maintain regular contact over the comings months.”