:00:18. > :00:27.A very warm welcome to the Garden Lobby here at Hollyrood. In the last
:00:28. > :00:32.few seconds since we came on a Boris Johnson has ruled himself out of the
:00:33. > :00:36.leadership for the Conservative Party. It looks like the front
:00:37. > :00:42.runners are now to reason may and Michael go. There is no leadership
:00:43. > :00:47.contest here in Scotland as far as I can see. No, no leadership contest
:00:48. > :00:52.here. Things are relatively stable apart from that small matter of the
:00:53. > :01:01.year exit from the European Union and the consequences for Scotland.
:01:02. > :01:05.We see if that is raised here. Thank you, nice and following the
:01:06. > :01:10.Hollyrood chamber today. It is the last day of term, but no danger of
:01:11. > :01:15.winding down today. To say that it's been a busy week in politics would
:01:16. > :01:20.be something of an understatement. The news seems to be coming thick
:01:21. > :01:24.and fast. The main story is the fallout from the EU referendum.
:01:25. > :01:28.Nicola Sturgeon is back from Brussels, sitting down there in the
:01:29. > :01:32.chamber at the moment. She's been discussing the impatience of that
:01:33. > :01:38.vote for Scotland, exploring ways of remaining part of the EU. Now that
:01:39. > :01:42.has been the predominant story, will she be asked about that though, we
:01:43. > :01:48.will see soon but it will be surprising if that wasn't a topic
:01:49. > :01:52.that came up. We'll also hear a related topic, the prospect of a
:01:53. > :01:57.second independence referendum. That has been dominant in the headlines
:01:58. > :02:05.this week. We are now moving to First Minister's Questions so I pass
:02:06. > :02:08.you over. They were supplemented on the EU following the referendum,
:02:09. > :02:12.there are supplementary constituency issues, could I ask members who wish
:02:13. > :02:17.to ask a local or constituency supplementary to press the button
:02:18. > :02:22.during questions one or two. I will take them after question two. Those
:02:23. > :02:27.who wish to ask a supplementary on EU press the button during questions
:02:28. > :02:29.three and four. Just a bit of process here from the presiding
:02:30. > :02:34.officer. Question one, Ruth Davidson. I want to ask the First
:02:35. > :02:38.Minister what engagement she has planned for the rest of day.
:02:39. > :02:43.Engagements to take forward the Government's plan. And. In response
:02:44. > :02:49.to the referendum vote the UK Government said it would set up a
:02:50. > :02:55.plan to create options in negotiations with the European
:02:56. > :02:59.Union. We need involvement from all in giving the devolved governments
:03:00. > :03:02.in that process. Can I ask what preparations the Scottish Government
:03:03. > :03:05.is making to take part in these discussions? The Scottish Government
:03:06. > :03:08.is making to take part in these is making exhaustive and very
:03:09. > :03:13.detailed preparations to ensure that we are fully involved in the UK
:03:14. > :03:17.decision-making process as it now develops, of course, we don't yet
:03:18. > :03:21.know what the UK decision-making process is going to be. We don't
:03:22. > :03:25.know who the UK by Minister is going to be after the next few weeks. We
:03:26. > :03:29.make it clear to the UK Government that the big commitment I was given
:03:30. > :03:32.on Friday morning, that they would be falling gauge and devolved
:03:33. > :03:39.administrations, is delivered in full. It is absolutely vital that in
:03:40. > :03:43.the course of the development of our position all options for Scotland
:03:44. > :03:48.are on the table. And as everybody will have heard me say a number of
:03:49. > :03:52.times since the referendum, Scotland voted to stay in the EU and it is my
:03:53. > :03:56.job as First Minister, this Parliament's job to do everything we
:03:57. > :04:02.can to give effect to how the people in Scotland voted. I frankly first
:04:03. > :04:06.reserve for that answer and I hope and trust that the Scottish
:04:07. > :04:09.Government will play a full role. I think we need to agree some
:04:10. > :04:13.principles in these talks in retaining our place in the single
:04:14. > :04:17.market should be the overriding priority. The London media has
:04:18. > :04:20.already said that he would be, and I quote, pushing the Government to
:04:21. > :04:24.ensure that this is the corner stone of negotiations with the EU. Can I
:04:25. > :04:30.ask if the First Minister will follow the same course? I would say,
:04:31. > :04:37.in addition to what I said earlier, we are doing everything we can to
:04:38. > :04:40.protect Scotland' 's position. My first principle in this is to give
:04:41. > :04:45.effect to the democratic will of the Scottish people as expressed in a
:04:46. > :04:48.referendum last week when more than 60% across Scotland, a majority in
:04:49. > :04:53.every local authority, said they wanted to stay in the EU. I don't
:04:54. > :04:56.think we should be looking at second best options will stop we should be
:04:57. > :05:02.looking at protecting what the people in Scotland voted for. Until
:05:03. > :05:07.the last couple of days that was the position of Ruth Davidson when she
:05:08. > :05:10.said mention of the EU was critical not just to ensure access to the
:05:11. > :05:15.single market but the benefit of calling on negotiating muscle and
:05:16. > :05:17.trade policy around the world. She said for so long Scottish employers,
:05:18. > :05:22.trade policy around the world. She telling me jobs are sustained within
:05:23. > :05:26.the EU, I will back them. I just wonder what has changed in the
:05:27. > :05:29.intervening period? What happened to that spirited defence of EU
:05:30. > :05:34.membership that we saw in Wembley Stadium? Why just a few days later
:05:35. > :05:43.issue meekly suggesting we throw in the towel. I am not going to throw
:05:44. > :05:47.in the towel. First Minister is absolutely right. It was access to
:05:48. > :05:51.the single market and trade that was the core of my support for the
:05:52. > :05:55.European Union. It is because it helps our economy, it helps sustain
:05:56. > :06:00.jobs and keep our public services here in Scotland well funded. It is
:06:01. > :06:03.important. It is very important, but it is not as important as the UK
:06:04. > :06:13.single market, orders the First Minister not agree? No, I actually,
:06:14. > :06:17.the single market as it exists right now is really important. Trade
:06:18. > :06:22.between Scotland and the rest of the UK is important as is the Republic
:06:23. > :06:25.of Ireland, incidentally, who I am sure there will be seeking to see
:06:26. > :06:31.whatever negotiations take forward trade is protected. If Ruth Davidson
:06:32. > :06:36.ones to suddenly force the rest of us into choosing either or, it is
:06:37. > :06:45.the Conservatives that have recklessly brought this country to
:06:46. > :06:49.the brink of disaster. No longer, no longer will of the Tories have any
:06:50. > :06:53.credibility in suggesting that they are the party of economic stability
:06:54. > :06:58.or even the party of the United Kingdom. It is the reckless, selfish
:06:59. > :07:02.behaviour of the Conservative Party that has put economic stability and
:07:03. > :07:06.the reputation of the UK on the line. I'm going to continue to do
:07:07. > :07:10.the job I was elected to do, and that is to stand up for Scotland. I
:07:11. > :07:16.would not be fit to be first minute if I didn't do that. Who's Davidson
:07:17. > :07:24.should take a lesson from that and stand up for Scotland as well. --
:07:25. > :07:27.Ruth Davidson. That was a rather cursory acknowledgement of the
:07:28. > :07:32.importance of the UK market to Scotland, but she showed recognise
:07:33. > :07:40.it. An exporter to the EU are worth ?1.6 billion. RX want of the UK with
:07:41. > :07:42.?48.5 billion. The UK single market is four times what important
:07:43. > :07:45.?48.5 billion. The UK single market difference in Scotland and it is
:07:46. > :07:51.underpinned by our shared currency and free borders. She says that she
:07:52. > :07:55.doesn't want to jeopardise that, so can I ask, why then has she
:07:56. > :07:59.instructed civil servants to draw up legislation for a second
:08:00. > :08:01.independence referendum? Why has her taxpayer funded spin doctor being
:08:02. > :08:06.independence referendum? Why has her the bingo press overnight that a
:08:07. > :08:11.second referendum is just around the corner? How does that protect
:08:12. > :08:16.Scotland in the UK's single market, First Minister? Well, if Ruth
:08:17. > :08:19.Davidson and her colleagues thought it was so vitally important to
:08:20. > :08:23.protect what we have now, the question from Ruth Davidson and her
:08:24. > :08:27.conservative colleagues is why did they pose a referendum that put all
:08:28. > :08:36.of that on the line. Why have they brought not just Scotland but the UK
:08:37. > :08:41.to the brink of economic disaster? As I have said before, my starting
:08:42. > :08:43.point in these discussions is not independence. It is protecting
:08:44. > :08:47.Scotland. It is doing what the independence. It is protecting
:08:48. > :08:53.Conservatives have so clearly failed to do. But let me also say this, if
:08:54. > :08:57.I think, if Scotland thinks that the best way to be direct opposition in
:08:58. > :09:02.the period that lies ahead is to look again at being an independent,
:09:03. > :09:07.that is a right that Scotland should have. Let me remind Ruth Davidson of
:09:08. > :09:14.something she said in the 2014 referendum. She said this, no means
:09:15. > :09:19.we stay in the European union, no means we are members of the European
:09:20. > :09:23.union. Well, voting for the UK is what has put membership of the
:09:24. > :09:26.European Union on the line, and I think the people of Scotland should
:09:27. > :09:36.have all of the options available to them to protect Scotland's position.
:09:37. > :09:40.Question two, Kezia Dugdale. When does the First Minister next planned
:09:41. > :09:43.to meet these Prime Minister. I spoke to him on Friday morning in
:09:44. > :09:46.to meet these Prime Minister. I the aftermath of the referendum
:09:47. > :09:51.result. That conversation was the start of what I hope, indeed what I
:09:52. > :09:54.will insist is ongoing discussion and direct involvement in
:09:55. > :09:58.negotiations with the EU. I will also be with the Prime Minister
:09:59. > :10:02.tomorrow when we will attend the Battle of the Somme centenary
:10:03. > :10:07.commemorations in France. Thank you. As the first minute and knows the
:10:08. > :10:11.Labour Party supports her efforts to secure Scotland's place in Europe,
:10:12. > :10:16.and like the Tory benches we are ultimately responsible for the
:10:17. > :10:20.country being in this mess. That rabble who are ultimately
:10:21. > :10:24.responsible. This is to protect jobs, protect workers' rights.
:10:25. > :10:29.However, yesterday the elected leaders of France and Spain both
:10:30. > :10:34.said they would be no negotiations with Scotland. Now Scotland needs
:10:35. > :10:38.more than tea and sympathy from our European neighbours. We need their
:10:39. > :10:45.support. Canny First Minister tell us what her next apps will be? Well,
:10:46. > :10:49.what certain government said yesterday was that of the Brexit
:10:50. > :10:54.negotiations would be between the EU and UK. That is a simple statement
:10:55. > :10:59.of fact. Our job, and I've always been clear about this, is to make
:11:00. > :11:05.sure that the context of that negotiation, all options for
:11:06. > :11:08.Scotland are on the table. That is why our intensive interaction with
:11:09. > :11:12.member states and with EU institutions we are seeking to
:11:13. > :11:16.ensure that Scotland is fully involved in the UK decision-making
:11:17. > :11:20.process. But it is also vital to make sure, as I was doing in
:11:21. > :11:24.Brussels yesterday, that we are acting to ensure that the UI and all
:11:25. > :11:28.players within the EU are aware of Scotland's desire to protect our
:11:29. > :11:33.place in the union and we keep our minds open about options as we move
:11:34. > :11:39.forward. That was the process of yesterday's meetings. From the
:11:40. > :11:43.response I got it was successful. The first list and knows we support
:11:44. > :11:49.her efforts, but we need to know what her alternative plans are to
:11:50. > :11:54.stop I know Ruth Davidson's party ignored advice readily. But economic
:11:55. > :11:59.experts are clear that we must prepare for the worst. More job
:12:00. > :12:03.losses and further austerities. The last time we met here before the
:12:04. > :12:07.referendum I asked about the contingency plan her government was
:12:08. > :12:11.undertaking in the event of Brexit. People are worried about their jobs,
:12:12. > :12:15.mortgages and pensions. Can the first minute updaters on the action
:12:16. > :12:22.she is taken to protect Scotland's economy? That planning which is of
:12:23. > :12:26.course now more important that we know the outcome of the referendum
:12:27. > :12:30.is underway across a whole range of issues. As I said in a statement on
:12:31. > :12:34.Tuesday in this chamber I will endeavour to keep the parliament,
:12:35. > :12:39.during the parliamentary recess, the party leaders, fully appraised of
:12:40. > :12:43.all the work that we are doing. My position is very clear. I want the
:12:44. > :12:46.effect Scotland voted for. I don't want as ripped out of the European
:12:47. > :12:51.Union against our will. Every step of the way as these discussions
:12:52. > :12:56.unfold we must be doing everything we can't give assurances to people
:12:57. > :12:59.who are very worried right now about their jobs, livelihoods and in the
:13:00. > :13:03.case of EU citizens who are very worried about their right to even
:13:04. > :13:06.live here. That is why we are working hard to look at what
:13:07. > :13:10.assurances we can give over the weeks and months ahead, but also
:13:11. > :13:14.seeking to persuade the UK Government give assurances, one
:13:15. > :13:18.assurance I think the UK Government should give today without delay is
:13:19. > :13:21.that regardless of what happens the right of any European citizen
:13:22. > :13:25.already living here in Scotland should be protected. At a stroke
:13:26. > :13:29.they could give that assurance today and they hope they consider doing
:13:30. > :13:33.so. We continue to plan for all eventualities but in doing that, no
:13:34. > :13:37.matter what Ruth Davidson might want to see us do, I am not prepared as
:13:38. > :13:44.First Minister to ignore how the people of Scotland voted last week.
:13:45. > :13:47.I am not prepared to shrug my shoulders and simply accept a Tory
:13:48. > :13:50.government that we didn't even vote for can drag is out of the European
:13:51. > :13:57.union against our will. I think the majority of people in Scotland agree
:13:58. > :13:59.with that. The First Minister is right to seek assurance regarding
:14:00. > :14:02.migrants living in Scotland and I right to seek assurance regarding
:14:03. > :14:09.give her the support of these benches. Last night, however, the
:14:10. > :14:13.First Minister was asked by the political editor of STV news about
:14:14. > :14:17.the legal advice she was in receipt of regarding Scotland's place in
:14:18. > :14:22.Europe. I know the Government is's convention is not to publish legal
:14:23. > :14:27.advice, but these are not conventional times. The Tories
:14:28. > :14:30.reckless gamble has left as any political, economic and
:14:31. > :14:34.constitutional crisis and paralleled in modern times. People deserve to
:14:35. > :14:46.know, in fact, they need to know what is going to happen next. This
:14:47. > :14:48.is not about drugging of the month of the past. It is about our
:14:49. > :14:52.country's future. So will the first Mr published the legal advice she
:14:53. > :14:56.receives? Can I start by agreeing with the premise of the question.
:14:57. > :15:01.These are not conventional times we live in, and therefore, we should
:15:02. > :15:04.not simply accept that the way things are normally done should be
:15:05. > :15:08.the way things are done right now. We should learn lessons from what
:15:09. > :15:11.the Conservatives have just done which is bring not just Scotland by
:15:12. > :15:16.pool of the UK to the position we're in now with clearly no planning.
:15:17. > :15:19.When I heard the referendum that there was no contingency plan I
:15:20. > :15:23.think that was something they were saying for the benefit of the
:15:24. > :15:26.campaign. It now turns out that they did no planning and that is
:15:27. > :15:31.unforgivable. We should all make sure that we learn lessons from
:15:32. > :15:37.that. What I said to be political editor of STV last night is this,
:15:38. > :15:40.they say it again, I organise the potential importance of some of the
:15:41. > :15:44.decision Scotland is going to be confronted with over the next
:15:45. > :15:48.period. I am determined to be as open and as Frank not just with this
:15:49. > :15:53.parliament, but with the people of Scotland as I possibly can be. I
:15:54. > :15:57.want, if at all possible, these decisions to be ones that we face up
:15:58. > :16:01.to in a unified way with transparency. Openness is paramount
:16:02. > :16:07.to that. I stop short of saying that the Government will publish every
:16:08. > :16:10.single piece of advice we ever get, because particular when negotiations
:16:11. > :16:14.are at stake I don't think that is a sensible thing for any government to
:16:15. > :16:18.do. However, the commitment I have is to try and find a path through
:16:19. > :16:24.this, to lead the country forward in as open and transparent a way as
:16:25. > :16:28.possible. We will face challenges over the next period as well as
:16:29. > :16:33.potential opportunities, and I think it is important that we face those
:16:34. > :16:40.challenges in a spirit of openness. Parliament has my absolute
:16:41. > :16:43.commitment to that. Thank you, presiding officer. I'm sure the
:16:44. > :16:49.First Minister and the chamber will be a way of the accident that took
:16:50. > :16:52.place at a theme park in my constituency when a roller-coaster
:16:53. > :16:54.derailed, crashed to the ground and caused some ten people serious
:16:55. > :16:59.injury. Can I thank colleagues for caused some ten people serious
:17:00. > :17:02.their kind words on social media regarding support for my
:17:03. > :17:06.constituents. I take time to thank the incredible response from the
:17:07. > :17:10.public and amazing emergency services. Can I therefore ask that
:17:11. > :17:15.what the Scottish Government reaction is to the incident at the
:17:16. > :17:18.amusement park? Well, can I thank the member for his question, my
:17:19. > :17:23.heart goes out to all those affected by this terrible incident that took
:17:24. > :17:26.place on Sunday afternoon. My thoughts, particularly, are with the
:17:27. > :17:32.children and adults who were injured. Some of them very
:17:33. > :17:35.seriously. I wish all of them a full and speedy recovery. I would also
:17:36. > :17:39.like to take the opportunity to thank our emergency services who
:17:40. > :17:42.were quickly on the scene and provided help and support to those
:17:43. > :17:47.affected with their usual courage and professionalism. Police Scotland
:17:48. > :17:49.have been in touch with the Health and Safety Executive and both
:17:50. > :17:53.industries are working together to ensure that this incident is fully
:17:54. > :17:57.investigated. It must be fully investigated and any lessons or
:17:58. > :18:01.recommendations arising from that investigation must be implemented.
:18:02. > :18:08.In the meantime, I am sure the thought of them will chamber with
:18:09. > :18:12.everybody affected on Sunday. To ask the first Mr, in light of the stark
:18:13. > :18:17.findings of the report commission to investigate the cremation of infants
:18:18. > :18:22.in Scotland, family first Mr advise me what action the Scottish
:18:23. > :18:27.Government is taking to ensure there are no more repeats of this
:18:28. > :18:28.abhorrent practices across Scotland, and in relation to the north-east
:18:29. > :18:33.region that I represent, are there and in relation to the north-east
:18:34. > :18:37.additional actions that the Scottish Government are considering taking in
:18:38. > :18:42.relation to the report's conclusions in Aberdeen?
:18:43. > :18:47.Can I firstly thank the member for raising what is a very important
:18:48. > :18:51.issue and for many families a difficult issue. I welcome the
:18:52. > :18:55.report that was published, the culmination of several years of work
:18:56. > :19:00.investigating why these mistakes were able to happen. I'd pay to
:19:01. > :19:03.bridge of the courage and dignity shown by parents and families who
:19:04. > :19:07.been involved with the investigation as well as with other
:19:08. > :19:11.investigations. These findings will not and do all those years of pain,
:19:12. > :19:15.but they will give families some comfort to know that changes have
:19:16. > :19:18.been made and will continue to be made to prevent this happening
:19:19. > :19:23.again. We've made a number of important changes including an
:19:24. > :19:29.inspector of crematoria and the introduction of the burial and
:19:30. > :19:33.cremation at 2016. We accept the report's recommendations and will
:19:34. > :19:37.promote them as soon as possible. In terms of Aberdeen City Council they
:19:38. > :19:40.have taken steps to remove responsible individuals and I hope
:19:41. > :19:45.that the organisation and culture that led staff to conceal these
:19:46. > :19:48.practices is a thing of the past. The Chief Executive has apologised
:19:49. > :19:52.and pledged to take personal responsibility for improving
:19:53. > :19:55.procedure. Changes are being made. That does not undo the heard all the
:19:56. > :19:58.pain but I committed to Parliament today that we will move forward to
:19:59. > :20:07.implement the recommendations and Parliament would be fully involved
:20:08. > :20:11.in that work. The credibility of the Scottish Child abuse enquiry is
:20:12. > :20:18.hanging by a thread, vessel lamb, one of the panel members has
:20:19. > :20:23.resigned saying the independence of the enquiry had been compromised. We
:20:24. > :20:29.all survivors of abuse justice. What is the first Mr doing to fix this
:20:30. > :20:37.before we fail them once again? -- what is the first Mr doing to fix
:20:38. > :20:40.this? This is a matter of the utmost importance, we owe it to all
:20:41. > :20:44.survivors of abuse to make sure that this is a thorough investigation of
:20:45. > :20:48.the abuse that they suffered. We don't accept Professor Lamb's
:20:49. > :20:54.comments about the independence of the enquiry. He decisions in
:20:55. > :21:00.relation to the enquiry and its reference are taken by the enquiry
:21:01. > :21:04.panel, supported by the enquiry secretary. However, the Scottish
:21:05. > :21:09.Government does have an obligation under the enquiries act 2000 to
:21:10. > :21:14.fulfil its responsibilities. I believe we have acted appropriately
:21:15. > :21:17.in doing so. Our priority now remains supporting the successful
:21:18. > :21:20.operation of the enquiry and ensuring that this situation does
:21:21. > :21:25.not impact on its progress in the weeks and months to come. To answer
:21:26. > :21:29.directly, we have instructed officials to appear for a new panel
:21:30. > :21:34.member with that process taking place over the summer. We will make
:21:35. > :21:38.sure that the focus is on getting the enquiry, continuing the enquiry,
:21:39. > :21:43.the Deputy First Minister is due to meet with survivor groups next week
:21:44. > :21:46.to listen to their views about the enquiry's progress. The Deputy First
:21:47. > :21:51.Minister will no doubt keep Parliament updated on this route as
:21:52. > :21:55.it progresses. I want the chamber to be assured of the commitment to
:21:56. > :22:01.ensuring that this enquiry proceeds, it does so well and smoothly. To ask
:22:02. > :22:07.the first Mr Wen the Cabinet will next meet. The Cabinet will meet an
:22:08. > :22:14.occasion over the summer recess. It is worth pointing out that the
:22:15. > :22:19.Cabinet has met 42 times outside of Edinburgh, across 25 local authority
:22:20. > :22:22.areas, I am hoping that is a symbol of our openness. Much of this takes
:22:23. > :22:26.place in the summer recess. It is our intention this will continue.
:22:27. > :22:34.That is very welcome and I hope you take the train at every opportunity.
:22:35. > :22:38.On Friday morning, after the chief fraudsters of the leave campaign and
:22:39. > :22:41.stood in front of the cameras looking like rabbits caught in the
:22:42. > :22:47.headlights, the First Minister told us clearly that people who had done
:22:48. > :22:51.as the honour of choosing to live and work here in Scotland are
:22:52. > :22:55.welcome. Those remarks made a great deal to a great many people. This
:22:56. > :23:00.must be the first time in generations that a political
:23:01. > :23:03.decision has resulted in so many of our friends and neighbours living in
:23:04. > :23:07.there and uncertainty about something so fundamental as whether
:23:08. > :23:12.they will be allowed to live. I know the First Minister shares that
:23:13. > :23:17.concern. Does she agree with me that the way to allay those concerns is
:23:18. > :23:22.to introduce urgent, emergency legislation to immediately give all
:23:23. > :23:29.EU citizens already in this country indefinite leave to remain? And what
:23:30. > :23:31.actions can be Scottish Government takes to offer practical assistance,
:23:32. > :23:38.for example with legal support or additional resources for citizens
:23:39. > :23:43.advice bureau is who currently struggling with the upgraded process
:23:44. > :23:44.of applying for residency? Can I thank Patrick Harvie for his
:23:45. > :23:48.question. He applied to the chief thank Patrick Harvie for his
:23:49. > :23:52.fraudsters of the leave campaign who have spent more time this morning
:23:53. > :23:55.stabbing each other in the back than preparing for the consequences of
:23:56. > :24:00.their actions which says more about the true motivations of some
:24:01. > :24:05.individuals in this campaign. Can I agree 100% with the substance of
:24:06. > :24:10.Patrick Harvie's question. Ie A absolutely appalled the way this
:24:11. > :24:15.referendum has made people who have made this country their home feel
:24:16. > :24:18.about being here. On my way to Brussels yesterday morning, going
:24:19. > :24:23.through Edinburgh airport, go to a number of EU citizens who told me
:24:24. > :24:28.first-hand how they felt. But, also how positively felt when not just
:24:29. > :24:33.me, but would Parliament said they were welcome here. We can't make
:24:34. > :24:38.that clear often enough. In terms of the specific question I repeat what
:24:39. > :24:40.I said to Kezia Dugdale. The UK Government should now make clear
:24:41. > :24:46.that everybody living in this country from other EU countries,
:24:47. > :24:50.their right to remain here will not be affected by anything that happens
:24:51. > :24:54.over Brexit negotiations. That would be an important step board. I hope
:24:55. > :25:00.the declared candidates for the conservative leadership will make
:25:01. > :25:05.that clear. We will continue to make that clear. In terms of practical
:25:06. > :25:10.support I am keen that we look at all options, I said on Tuesday that
:25:11. > :25:13.I am convening next week a summit of the EU consuls general which will
:25:14. > :25:18.take place next week. I want to discuss exactly what practical
:25:19. > :25:23.support might be useful for the Scottish love meant to provide to
:25:24. > :25:26.anybody in this situation. There are many, many things about this
:25:27. > :25:30.referendum and the outcome of this referendum that I am angry and upset
:25:31. > :25:35.about, but above all of the other things, this idea that somehow we
:25:36. > :25:40.are not to be open and inclusive welcoming country that I know we
:25:41. > :25:44.are. This Parliament has the duty to stand up and get that message out
:25:45. > :25:48.there loud and clear. Scotland is open, inclusive and welcoming and no
:25:49. > :25:57.Tory government behaving in party interest should be allowed to
:25:58. > :26:02.destroy that. I very much welcome the positive response the First
:26:03. > :26:06.Minister has given, and I share his outrage, I think, at the
:26:07. > :26:10.responsibility of Mr Johnson, one of the central architects of the
:26:11. > :26:15.deceitful at leave campaign for his abdication of responsibility in the
:26:16. > :26:20.mess he helped create. But turning to options for Scotland, the First
:26:21. > :26:25.Minister and I voted the same way in 2014 and we voted the same way in
:26:26. > :26:26.this year's referendum as well, but many people didn't and don't want to
:26:27. > :26:31.be forced to choose between many people didn't and don't want to
:26:32. > :26:35.remaining members of one union or the other. Can the First Minister
:26:36. > :26:39.tell us after her meetings in Brussels what other options exist to
:26:40. > :26:42.protect Scotland's EU state does? Would they require a treaty change
:26:43. > :26:46.and is that realistic or is Scotland Would they require a treaty change
:26:47. > :26:52.left with no option but to choose between remaining in the EU and 62%
:26:53. > :26:59.chose last week or remaining in the UK as 55% chose two years ago?
:27:00. > :27:04.Well, let me say to Patrick Harvie it is too early to be definitive in
:27:05. > :27:08.terms of an answer to that question. My purpose in Brussels yesterday was
:27:09. > :27:12.to make Scotland's voice heard and raise awareness of Scotland's case.
:27:13. > :27:17.We are at an early stage before we even know what the UK's position is
:27:18. > :27:21.going to be in determining what different options might be. We are
:27:22. > :27:26.looking at what those options might be and starting to develop what they
:27:27. > :27:29.might be, but we are a long way from being definitive about that. I
:27:30. > :27:33.repeat what I said earlier this week, all of the options at this
:27:34. > :27:37.stage must be on the table and as we develop our work Parliament must be
:27:38. > :27:42.fully involved in that work and I repeat my commitment that it will
:27:43. > :27:51.be. In terms of Independence, I have been clear since Friday that that
:27:52. > :27:54.option is very much on the table. It has to be on the table but that is
:27:55. > :27:57.not my starting point. My starting point is how do we best protect
:27:58. > :28:01.Scotland. If we get to a second independence referendum, and we
:28:02. > :28:05.aren't there yet, there will be a number of issues up for discussion
:28:06. > :28:09.that have to be properly discussed and debated. But one thing I think
:28:10. > :28:12.is already clear, if we've got to that stage the debate we would be
:28:13. > :28:18.having is a different debate to the one we had in 2014. For many people,
:28:19. > :28:22.not myself or Patrick Harvie, but for many people they saw it as a
:28:23. > :28:37.clear choice, a step into the unknown of independence
:28:38. > :28:41.or the stability of the United Kingdom. That will not be the case
:28:42. > :28:43.if we are in this situation and future. Then it would be a choice
:28:44. > :28:46.between a potentially unstable and unpredictable United Kingdom, and
:28:47. > :28:48.the chance that might allow us to preserve stable position within the
:28:49. > :28:51.United Kingdom. I am acutely aware that if I get to the stage, and they
:28:52. > :28:56.keep stressing if, because that is the position I'm in. If I get to the
:28:57. > :28:59.stage where I as First Minister am asking people to look again at the
:29:00. > :29:03.issue of independence then it will be not just my responsibility, but I
:29:04. > :29:08.will have a prime responsibility to persuade people of that case. If I'm
:29:09. > :29:15.in that position I will do that openly and honestly. First Minister,
:29:16. > :29:19.what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet? We will
:29:20. > :29:26.discuss issues of importance to Scotland. I don't know if she felt
:29:27. > :29:30.the same but I find it difficult to see that Ruth Davidson felt no signs
:29:31. > :29:33.of embarrassment at all when she claimed to stand up frog plays in
:29:34. > :29:39.the United Kingdom in a few minutes ago. Within weeks of becoming Labour
:29:40. > :29:42.of the apparently official opposition, support for independence
:29:43. > :29:48.that they record high, God help the union if it carries on like that!
:29:49. > :29:52.But as we discussed on Friday, she knows that I oppose independence but
:29:53. > :29:56.will support efforts to maintain a strong elation with the European
:29:57. > :30:02.Union. There are three specific EU measures that are beneficial to
:30:03. > :30:03.Scotland, European arrest warrant providing for speedier tradition of
:30:04. > :30:08.Scotland, European arrest warrant criminals back to justice, the
:30:09. > :30:12.programme for students which allows them to complete degrees in more
:30:13. > :30:18.than one country and the card which gives a right to state provided in
:30:19. > :30:21.Europe. As the legislative power in all three areas is devolved, there
:30:22. > :30:25.is the first Minster believe that these could be the foundation of any
:30:26. > :30:29.new agreement between Scotland and the European Union? I think this is
:30:30. > :30:34.a reasonable question from Willie the European Union? I think this is
:30:35. > :30:36.Rennie, can I say to him about the Conservatives I absolutely agree.
:30:37. > :30:39.Rennie, can I say to him about the The Conservatives should feel deeply
:30:40. > :30:42.ashamed of themselves right now. A bit more humility would have been in
:30:43. > :30:53.order from their benches this morning. But in terms of... Order,
:30:54. > :30:58.please. In terms of the substance of his question, let me be clear again,
:30:59. > :31:02.I know he understands this but my priority is to seek, and they don't
:31:03. > :31:06.pretend this is easy, but to seek to provide a way to protect Scotland's
:31:07. > :31:08.current relationship with the EU. There are a range of issues and
:31:09. > :31:15.current relationship with the EU. Willie Rennie has run through some
:31:16. > :31:19.of them, notwithstanding what else might happen, we may well be in a
:31:20. > :31:24.position in Scotland to give certainty about them. I can assure
:31:25. > :31:26.Willie Rennie these are all things that are under our active
:31:27. > :31:34.consideration as we take forward the next step in this process.
:31:35. > :31:38.There are thousands of criminals who have been redirected. Many students
:31:39. > :31:43.have benefited from the scheme. have been redirected. Many students
:31:44. > :31:47.There are practical benefits that we can see the benefit from
:31:48. > :31:50.maintaining. While she was in Brussels Jason Day, are Finance
:31:51. > :31:54.Secretary explained that he had set aside a small contingency to protect
:31:55. > :32:00.Scotland's budget from the effects of lower revenues or cuts to the
:32:01. > :32:03.blog grant. As a result of Brexit. The First Minister knows we have
:32:04. > :32:06.concerns about the funding of colleges and schools and in
:32:07. > :32:10.Cherries, that situation could get worse with Brexit. Will she consider
:32:11. > :32:16.a greater use of an compact towers to mitigate the effects of Brexit on
:32:17. > :32:20.our education system? I will come back to that point in
:32:21. > :32:24.one second but to finish off or an Willie Rennie's first point, I am
:32:25. > :32:28.not stepping back at this stage from the commitment I have to give effect
:32:29. > :32:29.to what the people of Scotland are looking for. But there is a
:32:30. > :32:33.to what the people of Scotland are possibility that even as we seek to
:32:34. > :32:40.do that they will be issues will be can give certainty right now and he
:32:41. > :32:43.has raised what some of them might be. While I cannot stand here and
:32:44. > :32:46.give the definitive answers to each of them right now, Willie Rennie
:32:47. > :32:50.should note these are things under our active consideration. In terms
:32:51. > :32:51.of the wider financial and economic issues, and anyone doubts the
:32:52. > :32:54.of the wider financial and economic responsibility of what the Tories
:32:55. > :32:57.have done to this country they only had to read the Economist
:32:58. > :33:02.intelligence unit report published yesterday which laid bare the fiscal
:33:03. > :33:07.economic consequences of the position that we are now in. That
:33:08. > :33:13.has clear consequences for Scotland. We do not yet fully know what was
:33:14. > :33:16.consequences will be. So as part of our preparations for dealing with
:33:17. > :33:20.the consequences of this, we need to make sure that we are taking the
:33:21. > :33:25.time and the care to look at all elements of our budgetary planning
:33:26. > :33:28.as well. This will undoubtedly have impacts on our timescale for budgets
:33:29. > :33:32.and spending reviews over the next key rate. I am not telling you
:33:33. > :33:35.anything is on or off of the table right now but it is another aspect
:33:36. > :33:40.of the very careful work we must do in the months ahead. I will assure
:33:41. > :33:44.apartment that as we do that work we will seek to do it openly, not just
:33:45. > :33:50.with parliament but that the people of Scotland as a whole.
:33:51. > :33:53.Thank you, Presiding Officer, can I ask the First Minister as she would
:33:54. > :33:59.use the Scottish Government's involvement in the negotiation team
:34:00. > :34:03.between the UK and the EU to try to ensure that any draft agreement
:34:04. > :34:09.between the EU and the duty will be subject to explicit approval by this
:34:10. > :34:12.Parliament, so that we can protect Scotland's interests in that
:34:13. > :34:19.situation, assuming of course that we are still not an independent
:34:20. > :34:23.country at that time. Yes, I do think that we need to make sure at
:34:24. > :34:28.every step of the way that this Parliament's voice is heard. I think
:34:29. > :34:34.it is inconceivable that we did not require to give legislative consent
:34:35. > :34:41.to the many issues that are going to arise from this process. We all know
:34:42. > :34:45.the boundaries of the legislative consent process, I am not
:34:46. > :34:50.overstating what that could deliver in terms of the overall UK position,
:34:51. > :34:53.but it is in my view and it would be for every party member of this
:34:54. > :34:58.chamber to decide for themselves, but I could not personally and as
:34:59. > :35:02.First Minister, contemplate giving legislative consent to legislation
:35:03. > :35:06.that gives permission to date this country out of Europe against the
:35:07. > :35:09.express will of the Scottish people. The answer directly to the question
:35:10. > :35:12.is that this Parliament as well as this government should make sure
:35:13. > :35:16.that our voice is heard at every step of the way. Just to be clear on
:35:17. > :35:21.the point you are talking about, over the course of the weekend, the
:35:22. > :35:24.impression was given that this Parliament has the legal power to
:35:25. > :35:28.block or veto the United Kingdom's but the dollar from the EU. That the
:35:29. > :35:36.First Minister agree that as a matter of law we have no such power?
:35:37. > :35:41.What I have said is what the reality of the situation is. We have the
:35:42. > :35:45.power .Mac members will recall that before the election we had a debate,
:35:46. > :35:49.if I can put it as politely as that with the UK Government over whether
:35:50. > :35:52.legislative consent was acquired from the Trade Union Bill. We said
:35:53. > :35:58.it was, the UK Government said it was not and we got into a stand-off
:35:59. > :36:03.position. My view is clear, legislative consent to dig us out of
:36:04. > :36:05.Europe given the enormous impact on our devolved responsibilities would
:36:06. > :36:11.be required. I have never suggested that the impact of that would be
:36:12. > :36:15.more than it actually is. But I do believe that a UK Government that
:36:16. > :36:21.was seeking to act in devolved areas against the express will of this
:36:22. > :36:25.Parliament would in a further retake itself into constitutional
:36:26. > :36:29.unchartered territory. Frankly, although this is just another
:36:30. > :36:33.illustration of how we have been taken to this point by a government
:36:34. > :36:37.acting completely recklessly without any thought to the consequences or
:36:38. > :36:43.the implications. No thought to the competencies bat-mac consequences
:36:44. > :36:47.for Scotland, for Ireland, for workers up and down this country, a
:36:48. > :36:51.referendum brought about purely for the internal properties of the
:36:52. > :36:53.Conservative Party, each and every one of you should be deeply ashamed
:36:54. > :37:11.of yourselves. The First Minister will be aware
:37:12. > :37:15.that neo-Nazi stickers have appeared in Glasgow climbing White zones and
:37:16. > :37:20.there are reports that first, second and even third generation migrants
:37:21. > :37:23.have been told to go home. Can we therefore send out a unified message
:37:24. > :37:29.from this Parliament to our immigrants directly that this is
:37:30. > :37:34.your home and to the spreaders of hate about the people that are not
:37:35. > :37:43.welcome here, it is not the migrants, it is people like you and
:37:44. > :37:52.your hateful message. Absolutely, I could not agree more
:37:53. > :37:58.with an -- -- more with you. If you have done us the honour of choosing
:37:59. > :38:02.to make Scotland your home and you contribute to our culture, society,
:38:03. > :38:08.our economy, a Burberry sense of who we are, it does not matter whether
:38:09. > :38:11.you come from European country or outside of Europe, whether you are
:38:12. > :38:21.first, second or third-generation, we are proud to have you here and
:38:22. > :38:30.that is a we will never stop saying. For those who say anything else, and
:38:31. > :38:34.Anas Sarwar is correct. To ask the First Minister Watkins
:38:35. > :38:38.agency plans the UK Government may have put in place following the
:38:39. > :38:43.referendum to ensure that technology and other resources are in place to
:38:44. > :38:46.continue permits to farmers and other supporters of the EU looking
:38:47. > :38:52.for financial support after the expiry of the two-year X appearing.
:38:53. > :38:57.Not that the Conservatives are laughing at that question. Because
:38:58. > :39:01.the Conservatives right now would rather do that than face up to the
:39:02. > :39:05.fact that their colleagues in Westminster have got us to be we are
:39:06. > :39:09.at the moment without any contingency planning whatsoever. No
:39:10. > :39:12.contingency planning for the issue that Colin Beattie races and no
:39:13. > :39:16.contingency planning for anything else. We will not get any over the
:39:17. > :39:19.further weeks as they emerge themselves in an eternal leadership
:39:20. > :39:24.election. That is the simple position we have been putting. In
:39:25. > :39:28.Scotland, we cannot undo that and we cannot resolve all of that. Our
:39:29. > :39:33.responsibility, whether in government or across Parliament is
:39:34. > :39:36.to seek to provide a readership here that if society lacking at
:39:37. > :39:39.Westminster, to find a way through this, to navigate a path that is in
:39:40. > :39:45.the best interests of Scotland and that is what I am determined to do
:39:46. > :39:47.and I hope I will have the backing of the whole Parliament as I do
:39:48. > :39:53.that. With the First Minister accept that
:39:54. > :39:58.fishing people in Scotland and ship and voted Reeva last Thursday, which
:39:59. > :40:01.she accept that represents the manifestation of the common
:40:02. > :40:07.fisheries -- Common Fisheries Policy over many decades?
:40:08. > :40:11.Yes, I do accept that. If I can deal over many decades?
:40:12. > :40:15.with fishing first of all, I recognise that many people in that
:40:16. > :40:19.community voted Leave because of their frustrations with that policy.
:40:20. > :40:22.Frustrations that both parties have expressed over many years. As there
:40:23. > :40:25.have been reforms to the Common expressed over many years. As there
:40:26. > :40:30.Fisheries Policy over many years, so too must be continue to argue for
:40:31. > :40:37.further amendments in the future. I do not forget the fact that it was a
:40:38. > :40:42.Tory government under the then Ted Heath who fought that the Scottish
:40:43. > :40:47.Government was not worthy of getting a more important deal. There were 1
:40:48. > :40:51.million people in Scotland to voted to leave the European Union and I
:40:52. > :40:54.had all of us must listen to that and respond to that and understand
:40:55. > :41:00.their reasons. While I am focused and I would expect people to expect
:41:01. > :41:03.me to be focused and look at the majority of opinion in Scotland, let
:41:04. > :41:06.me also make clear that I see it as a clear responsibility of mine to
:41:07. > :41:12.understand and engage and respond to the concerns of those who voted the
:41:13. > :41:16.other way last week. Thank you, Presiding Officer. To ask
:41:17. > :41:20.the first Mr Watts that the Scottish Government is taking to ensure that
:41:21. > :41:22.school Leavers gain a place at college or university or gain
:41:23. > :41:29.employment training or an apprenticeship? -- the First
:41:30. > :41:31.Minister. We are looking at putting outcomes for young people and I am
:41:32. > :41:35.determined to ensure that all our young people have an equal chance to
:41:36. > :41:37.succeed beyond skill. Under this government the percentage of school
:41:38. > :41:40.succeed beyond skill. Under this Leavers going on to positive
:41:41. > :41:45.destinations has increased from 84% to a record high of 92% this year.
:41:46. > :41:49.The education delivery plan that they give the first Mr published on
:41:50. > :41:54.Tuesday set out over 50 actors to further transform the education
:41:55. > :41:58.system, including supporting young people in positive destinations.
:41:59. > :42:02.Thank you for your response. The Reach project at St Andrews
:42:03. > :42:05.University are engaged in a partnership with Connacht is high
:42:06. > :42:09.school in my constituency. This year 23 pupils from the School are
:42:10. > :42:13.supported by the project and last year it pupils went on to study at
:42:14. > :42:20.St Andrews. Does the First Minister agree that strong partnerships
:42:21. > :42:22.between higher education institutions should and must be used
:42:23. > :42:24.as a mechanism to support the government's ambitions to cause the
:42:25. > :42:28.attainment gap by encouraging ambition, aspiration and
:42:29. > :42:32.achievement. I agree with that and I would hope that all members will. In
:42:33. > :42:36.the final report that commission made a series of recommendations as
:42:37. > :42:38.to how to strengthen partnerships between schools, colleges and
:42:39. > :42:41.to how to strengthen partnerships universities. That included the
:42:42. > :42:45.expansion of academic bridging programmes, the national network of
:42:46. > :42:48.summer schools and academic programmes targeting early and
:42:49. > :42:52.sustained support for the most able disadvantaged learners. I made it
:42:53. > :42:56.clear at the Deputy First Minister that excel at the progress on fair
:42:57. > :43:00.access it a priority. Some of what we require to do that means
:43:01. > :43:03.challenging the university sector but I would like to welcome the
:43:04. > :43:08.positive response to that challenge and we are already working closely
:43:09. > :43:12.with the sector and that work will continue over the summer. Donald
:43:13. > :43:15.Cameron. To ask the First Minister what long-term plans the Scottish
:43:16. > :43:20.Government has to address concerns about these is the ability of the
:43:21. > :43:25.NHS in Scotland that will -- that were raised recently by BNA. Over
:43:26. > :43:29.the lifetime of this Parliament we will increase the health and
:43:30. > :43:33.resource budget by ?500 million over inflation, the highest of any party
:43:34. > :43:37.in recent elections. We are also working to further shift the balance
:43:38. > :43:40.of care from attitude to primary and community settings, that is why as
:43:41. > :43:41.well as increasing the health budget we are committed to increasing the
:43:42. > :43:46.share of it that goes to primary we are committed to increasing the
:43:47. > :43:49.care, social care, mental health services and community care in each
:43:50. > :44:01.year of this Parliament. Investment and reform are the key watchwords. I
:44:02. > :44:04.am grateful to the First Minister for her answer. One of the points
:44:05. > :44:06.made forcibly by the DNA last week was the pressure that doctors who as
:44:07. > :44:09.a result of rising demand placed upon them, not just funding issues
:44:10. > :44:10.but also an ageing population and ongoing staffing problems. These are
:44:11. > :44:15.long-term challenges requiring solutions and as someone who was
:44:16. > :44:19.Health Secretary for over five years, does the First Minister
:44:20. > :44:24.accepts she bears some personal responsibility for not preparing for
:44:25. > :44:28.the present crisis? Can she come at the Scottish Government to a
:44:29. > :44:35.meaningful reform of the NHS so that it has a sustainable future for the
:44:36. > :44:39.next generation. Yes, I do take personal responsibility for the fact
:44:40. > :44:43.that we have a record high workforce in our NHS today, many more doctors,
:44:44. > :44:49.nurses, allied health professionals, a range of them working on our
:44:50. > :44:52.health service. My job is to make sure that we continue to invest in
:44:53. > :44:55.the health service but make sure it is equipped to respond to some of
:44:56. > :44:58.the challenges you have raised. Our manifesto talked about five new
:44:59. > :45:02.treatment centres to deal with the growing number of Operation Stack,
:45:03. > :45:06.an ageing population. That is why we have taken steps to integrate health
:45:07. > :45:09.and social care and we are transferring resource from the
:45:10. > :45:12.health service into social care and why we have our primary care
:45:13. > :45:24.transformation plan underway. We will continue to invest the money
:45:25. > :45:27.that the health service needs but also take the steps to ensure it is
:45:28. > :45:30.a modern, fit for purpose servers that can meet all of the challenges
:45:31. > :45:32.of the future. To ask the First Minister what the position of the
:45:33. > :45:34.Scottish Government is on the dispute between Scott and RMT? I am
:45:35. > :45:36.disappointed we are seeing industrial action on our railways.
:45:37. > :45:42.disappointed we are seeing It is all was the public that the
:45:43. > :45:46.sub. -- ScotRail. -- loses out. We are trying to stop further strikes
:45:47. > :45:50.from going ahead. Safety is paramount to everything that is done
:45:51. > :45:52.on our network. Scottish ministers do not set the policy of operations
:45:53. > :45:57.for ScotRail but we expect employers do not set the policy of operations
:45:58. > :46:00.and unions to arrive at a safe and efficient solution focused on the
:46:01. > :46:04.customer, without further strike action. The response team will
:46:05. > :46:08.continue to operate on each of the strike dates as they go ahead and
:46:09. > :46:12.all modes of transport have continued to operate well. The First
:46:13. > :46:15.Minister knows that conductor operation guarantees passengers that
:46:16. > :46:20.every worker in addition to the driver will always be on a train to
:46:21. > :46:23.assist passengers, including in the event of an emergency. Can the First
:46:24. > :46:27.Minister tell us whether the government believes that passengers
:46:28. > :46:31.will be at or less risk if there is an accident or incident and there is
:46:32. > :46:34.no longer a second real worker to assist. In addition to safety
:46:35. > :46:37.concerns, though she believed that disabled passengers will be
:46:38. > :46:45.disadvantaged or not if they no longer have the guarantee or
:46:46. > :46:48.assistance of a real worker. Here in lies the complete misunderstanding
:46:49. > :46:55.of the issue that we are dealing with. The franchise mandate ScotRail
:46:56. > :46:58.to have that second member of staff unless there are exceptional
:46:59. > :47:02.circumstances on board each and every single time. That is audited
:47:03. > :47:07.regularly. This is not an issue as to whether there will no longer be a
:47:08. > :47:10.second member of staff on the train, it is an issue as to whether it is
:47:11. > :47:14.Driver is that open the doors or not. And that policy of driver
:47:15. > :47:17.controlled doors had been in operation in many of our real
:47:18. > :47:22.services in this country with no safety concerns for I believe around
:47:23. > :47:25.30 years. When I used to travel to Irvine to Glasgow in my university
:47:26. > :47:30.days, the team was operated in that we in terms of the days -- doors.
:47:31. > :47:36.That is not about having a situation where there are not to members of
:47:37. > :47:39.staff on the train. If labour want to be helpful in the state and that
:47:40. > :47:46.by understanding the issue and put out the right information, not the
:47:47. > :47:50.incorrect information. Can I thank the First Minister and
:47:51. > :47:55.all members, before I close the session of Parliament and introduce
:47:56. > :47:58.summer recess, can I encourage members and I look forward to
:47:59. > :48:02.welcoming you back on Saturday morning along with guests, the local
:48:03. > :48:04.heroes, when the department will be opening its doors to the people of
:48:05. > :48:08.Scotland for our opening ceremony. Scotland for our opening ceremony.
:48:09. > :48:12.-- the Parliament. I close this ceremony.
:48:13. > :48:16.That was the cause of the parliamentary session but in the
:48:17. > :48:20.joys way that these things happen, the foil royal opening will take
:48:21. > :48:23.place on Saturday, it is not just opening the immediate period, it is
:48:24. > :48:28.opening the new session following the elections. Post-Brexit vote,
:48:29. > :48:32.commend this uncertainty at the moment across all zones of politics
:48:33. > :48:36.and indeed among the public as well. One thing certain there from the
:48:37. > :48:40.First Minister is who she blames for this. She penned the blame firmly
:48:41. > :48:43.indeed on the Conservatives and up on their Scottish leader who were
:48:44. > :48:45.standing in front of. To discuss that I am joined by my journalistic
:48:46. > :48:49.colleagues... I'm joined now by the Press
:48:50. > :48:51.Association's Scottish political reporter Lynsey Bews
:48:52. > :49:01.and the Daily Mail's Scottish She had a bit of a goal, that she
:49:02. > :49:04.not? Absolutely. The comments from Ruth Davidson during the
:49:05. > :49:09.independence referendum in 2014 came back to haunt her. She said in a
:49:10. > :49:11.vote first thing in the union would protect Scotland's place in Europe
:49:12. > :49:16.and of course that has not transpired to be the case. Allen,
:49:17. > :49:19.she was trying to make it, almost personal on the Conservatives, she
:49:20. > :49:23.said there was an internal leadership election which had
:49:24. > :49:29.brought about the situation that Scotland found itself in. Yes, a
:49:30. > :49:34.very tough cantor from Ruth Davidson, she was angered that the
:49:35. > :49:40.SNP had brought them into the sunny place. Ruth Davidson said she would
:49:41. > :49:43.be the defender of reading in, it is not that saved today and her party
:49:44. > :49:50.has brought us to that. Willie Rennie said God help the union! 54%
:49:51. > :49:55.are no polling for independence, the highest since the referendum. The
:49:56. > :50:01.are no polling for independence, the Tory Party is the reason things are
:50:02. > :50:02.in peril. Lynsey Bews, as the SNP is streamed down the stairs behind you,
:50:03. > :50:07.we are cocking about the difference streamed down the stairs behind you,
:50:08. > :50:09.in interpretation. Nicola Sturgeon is a nationalist and he's a Scottish
:50:10. > :50:15.mandate, Ruth Davidson is a unionist and talks about the UK. Two
:50:16. > :50:18.different interpretations on that vote. Nicola Sturgeon sees it within
:50:19. > :50:21.her rights to go to Brussels as she did yesterday and to try to put the
:50:22. > :50:25.case for Scotland forward, to try and assert the position of Scotland
:50:26. > :50:28.that it wants to remain in Europe. Ruth Davidson was very keen for
:50:29. > :50:36.Nicola Sturgeon to work with the UK Government as part of the solutions.
:50:37. > :50:41.And not being sent off to Europe. Nicola Sturgeon company disagrees
:50:42. > :50:47.with that assertion. Boris Johnson not standing, where are on that?
:50:48. > :50:52.Shambolic. The man that led us into this referendum this morning tells
:50:53. > :50:57.us he is not standing for Prime Minister. Extraordinary. We now have
:50:58. > :51:03.to raise any, Michael Gove and a few others. -- we now have Theresa May.
:51:04. > :51:08.I think it will come down to those two. Michael Gove said he could not
:51:09. > :51:11.support Boris Johnson, he could not see him as a leader. Presumably he
:51:12. > :51:15.support Boris Johnson, he could not said that to him directly. I have
:51:16. > :51:20.heard from some within the party that they are angered by Boris,
:51:21. > :51:23.certainly within MPs and they were not convinced that he was the right
:51:24. > :51:28.man to unite the party. Let alone uniting the country! Quite a fight
:51:29. > :51:34.ahead. We have spoken about who will be the Prime Minister... It will be
:51:35. > :51:40.dramatic. Michael Gove, a key player in the Conservative Party and in
:51:41. > :51:44.this EU referendum. He has sway with different factions. He has insisted
:51:45. > :51:47.he did not want to do it. We have seen a U-turn today. It is surprise
:51:48. > :51:52.after surprise. As the Conservative seen a U-turn today. It is surprise
:51:53. > :51:57.leadership is intriguing, Labour Bidisha, UK Bidisha, where Abbey on
:51:58. > :52:01.that? Resignations from the Shadow Cabinet in a minute, I would suspect
:52:02. > :52:07.some happened whilst have been on here. It was annexed essential
:52:08. > :52:14.crisis was what Tom Watson called it.
:52:15. > :52:16.We are expecting a callous to Jeremy Corbyn. He is being as stubborn as a
:52:17. > :52:19.mule on this, because in Google. Corbyn. He is being as stubborn as a
:52:20. > :52:24.Where that leaves us, who knows. Kezia Dugdale, what can she do, just
:52:25. > :52:30.look on bemused or can she intervene? She has said that he
:52:31. > :52:34.could not survive as she was in Jeremy Corbyn's position. It took a
:52:35. > :52:38.few days to say that but the problem is that her deputy, Alex Rowley, who
:52:39. > :52:42.has criticised Ian Murray, the former Shadow Scottish Secretary who
:52:43. > :52:45.stood down on the Sunday, there is is but within Scottish Labour.
:52:46. > :52:49.Problematic for Kezia Dugdale, I think she will want to try and get
:52:50. > :52:52.back from it as much as she can. The last thing that the Labour Party
:52:53. > :52:58.need it is but in the party as well as in the UK. While the scan down
:52:59. > :53:01.eventually, Lynsey Bews, is it a natural reaction to a constitutional
:53:02. > :53:05.crisis or have some of these problems been bubbling underneath
:53:06. > :53:10.the surface? It is a bit of both. We are in the eye of the storm of
:53:11. > :53:15.Brexit, it shocked everyone, not the result everyone expected. It has
:53:16. > :53:19.caused the situations to erupt with the Tory Party, but also the Labour
:53:20. > :53:22.Party. You perhaps expected them to hold it together and hold the UK
:53:23. > :53:25.Government to account on that post-Brexit but they have seen this
:53:26. > :53:27.as an opportunity to Tardis Jeremy Corbyn, but I think was always
:53:28. > :53:31.bubbling along at some point. There Corbyn, but I think was always
:53:32. > :53:35.were always part of labour that bonded together. And as soon as they
:53:36. > :53:37.could. Back to Europe.
:53:38. > :53:45.Some expert witnesses were giving evidence this morning in committee.
:53:46. > :53:48.Let us hear from some of them. I would also add that I would not
:53:49. > :53:55.Let us hear from some of them. wholly discount the attractions of
:53:56. > :54:01.Scotland not seeking to be a member of the EU but possibly being a
:54:02. > :54:08.member of Esther and VE Day because that offer certain advantages, full
:54:09. > :54:14.access to the single market but not all of the commitments that would be
:54:15. > :54:25.gone through and it does not seem to me that Scotland makes quite a good
:54:26. > :54:26.fit with Iceland and Norway. If we are talking about options, that is
:54:27. > :54:37.another option that ought to be are talking about options, that is
:54:38. > :54:39.explored. Without seeking to invoke annoyance from my colleagues, why
:54:40. > :54:44.could Scotland not be a state within annoyance from my colleagues, why
:54:45. > :54:55.the EU? Scotland would remain and have its seat. That is not, in my
:54:56. > :54:59.view, impossible. Assuming the necessary was the Chechen agreement
:55:00. > :55:02.had been sought in Scotland and the Scottish people felt independence
:55:03. > :55:10.for the best option, they could become a successor state.
:55:11. > :55:15.I will quote what was said to me by a very senior retired. --. At that,
:55:16. > :55:23.when I asked about the dual crisis. He said they will find a B, they
:55:24. > :55:27.always do. One should remember, the lawyers can land is like angels on
:55:28. > :55:32.the point of a pen but at the end of the day, it is politics that count.
:55:33. > :55:39.That was the evidence given this morning by Drew Scott and Professor
:55:40. > :55:42.Sir David ever talking about other options, possibly other than
:55:43. > :55:49.independence, let us talk more about that.
:55:50. > :55:54.Alan Roden, Nicola Sturgeon was asked, what are the options other
:55:55. > :56:00.than independence. She did not have them. I do not think anyone has them
:56:01. > :56:03.at this stage. This reverse agreement idea, the idea of where
:56:04. > :56:07.agreement is part of the kingdom of Denmark but not in the EU unlike
:56:08. > :56:11.them. If you could reverse that somehow. The Labour Party is looking
:56:12. > :56:15.at federal options. They all sound a little bit Eye In The Sky and I
:56:16. > :56:20.think that the reality is that we are going through the motions and
:56:21. > :56:25.the only solution is that Scotland either leave the UK -- EU as part of
:56:26. > :56:28.the UK or it goes independent. We have a question of the veto that is
:56:29. > :56:33.not a veto. Nicola Sturgeon was adamant, how would she be other that
:56:34. > :56:37.the Scottish Parliament would have to give legislative consent, but she
:56:38. > :56:39.then said she was not overstating that because basically the UK
:56:40. > :56:44.Parliament and government could ignore that. We saw a similar
:56:45. > :56:48.situation with the trade union battle with the Scottish Parliament
:56:49. > :56:52.was pushing to kind of Ricoh that legislation and that not happened.
:56:53. > :56:55.It is a copper kidded situation, it comes down to the constitutional
:56:56. > :57:00.legal arrangement but also comes down to political will as well. It
:57:01. > :57:03.was quite interesting that Nicola Sturgeon said on her trip to Brazil
:57:04. > :57:07.Jason Day that this was about encouraging them to keep their minds
:57:08. > :57:10.open she is really trying to lay down some of the groundwork for
:57:11. > :57:14.presenting this idea Scotland could come along as an independent state
:57:15. > :57:20.and want to perhaps inherit the position of the UK or maybe have any
:57:21. > :57:24.easier passage to EU membership as a result of this Brexit scenario she
:57:25. > :57:31.has found herself in. She said today when she was asked about the foetal,
:57:32. > :57:35.no, I am not telling you it is illegal,, what she said was that if
:57:36. > :57:40.the UK Government overruled the wishes of the Scottish Parliament,
:57:41. > :57:43.Helmand, basically. There is no veto. Nicola Sturgeon did not use
:57:44. > :57:48.that word but she did give that impression in TV interviews over the
:57:49. > :57:53.weekend. A bit of backtracking going on. There is no veto. What will
:57:54. > :57:58.happen is there could be some sort of recall or a process forward from
:57:59. > :58:03.the Scottish Government. She said it could be influential, if the UK
:58:04. > :58:07.Government... I do not think so. What would be the next age, she did
:58:08. > :58:13.not expect a deal in Brussels yesterday, it was about highlighting
:58:14. > :58:17.the issue as Lynsey Bews said. She met a few bureaucrats just a day, no
:58:18. > :58:21.one of any great significance. The important people in Europe are the
:58:22. > :58:25.member states and the European Council, Donald Tusk did not meet.
:58:26. > :58:30.Spain and France had a lot to say on this and said we will be dealing
:58:31. > :58:33.with the UK. The Spanish Prime Minister gave the impression that
:58:34. > :58:36.Scotland wants to be in the EU, it has to go at Asda in the duty and
:58:37. > :58:41.come back and as an independent country. Is that where we are
:58:42. > :58:45.heading Lynsey Bews, do these other options get chipped away and be
:58:46. > :58:49.returned to a referendum? It is looking like that. I think it was
:58:50. > :58:53.Patrick Harvie who asked what else was on the table. Let us move
:58:54. > :58:59.towards the second referendum almost. Nicola Sturgeon was very
:59:00. > :59:03.vague and her answer but as Alan Roden pointed out, nobody really
:59:04. > :59:07.knows. Any guesses as to when a referendum could take place? The
:59:08. > :59:13.talk is within two years. I think it could be about 2021, that would be
:59:14. > :59:16.my guess. Thank you both very much indeed for joining us. That is the
:59:17. > :59:21.my guess. Thank you both very much cause of our coverage. It is also
:59:22. > :59:24.the close of Parliament, or is it, because the Presiding Officer, Ken
:59:25. > :59:30.Macintosh, who will welcome homage to the Queen on Saturday for the
:59:31. > :59:34.formal opening says that if there are big developments in the EU
:59:35. > :59:38.crisis, then Parliament might have to be recalled. That is up to them.
:59:39. > :59:41.Certainly the UK public might have to be recalled. From Brian Taylor,
:59:42. > :59:51.goodbye for now.