'We’re leaving' Marr slaps down Sturgeon for thinking UK can remain in single market
ANDREW MARR slapped down Nicola Sturgeon after she insisted that the UK can remain in the European Union’s single market despite Brexit.
Marr takes Sturgeon to task over single market claims
Scotland’s First Minister was dealt the blow after repeatedly threatening to hold a second independence referendum if her demands for single market access are not met.
During the interview on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show, the host told Ms Sturgeon, in no uncertain terms, that Britain’s vote to Leave included exiting the EU’s free trade agreement.
In a 50-page documented titled “Scotland’s Place in Europe”, which it released in December, the Scottish Government proposed a “differentiated” Brexit arrangement from the rest of the UK.
Ms Sturgeon insisted this will “respect the voice and protect the interests of Scotland” after 62 per cent of Scots voted to Remain in the EU.
The Brexit vote means leaving the single market
Challenging the First Minister on the document, Marr said: “In those proposals, you have made it very clear that what you mean by a ‘soft’ Brexit or an ‘acceptable’ Brexit involves staying inside the single market and the customs union.
“The problem is that people were told all the way through the referendum that leaving the EU meant leaving those things.”
Given her chance to reply, Nicola Sturgeon rebuked: “I’m not sure… I don’t think that’s the case.”
But in an ultimate slap down on the SNP politician, Marr interjected: “It is the case, if I may say so.
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“I interviewed David Cameron, George Osborne, Michael Gove, Boris Johnson and I asked all of them, and they all said yes, it means leaving the single market.”
Ms Sturgeon’s hopes of retaining single market access for Scotland were also dealt another blow on Sunday, with Prime Minister Theresa May offering what is perhaps the biggest hint yet that the UK is set to abandon all elements of EU membership.
Speaking on Sky News, in her first live interview of the year, told host Sophy Ridge that she will present her Brexit plans in the next few weeks.
After being repeatedly asked whether Britain will leave the single market, the Prime Minister said that she will not try to “keep bits of membership”.
Mrs May said: “We are leaving, we are coming out, we are not going to be a member of the EU any longer.
“We will have control of our borders, control of our laws, but we still want the best possible deal for UK companies to trade with and operate within the European Union and also European companies to trade with and operate within the UK.
“We must not think about this as somehow we are coming out of membership but we want to keep bits of membership. What we must say is what the right relationship for a United Kingdom that is no longer a member of the European Union. The best possible deal for the UK will also be a good deal for the EU.
“I am ambitious for what we can get for the UK in terms of our relationship with the EU because I also think that’s going to be good for the EU.”