By Reporter, The HighLand Times, Monday December 5 2016

Tory MSP Adam Tomkins has today admitted that the Tories will not fight for the best deal for Scotland during the Brexit negotiations.

Speaking on Good Morning Scotland, the Tory MSP said:

“What we need to do is not get the best deal for Scotland; we need to get the best deal for the whole of the United Kingdom.”

Mr Tomkins also accepted that the UK was headed for a hard Brexit, stating that Brexit means “taking back control” of national finances and immigration.

These pledges are despite David Davis’s admission that the UK may agree to pay large amounts into the EU after leaving and Ruth Davidson previously pledging to support the single market, even if this meant continued freedom of movement.

SNP MSP Stuart McMillan said:

“The cat is out of the bag – the Tories are now on the record as saying, explicitly, that they don't want the best deal for Scotland.

“And while Theresa May is yet to break her silence on what Brexit means, born-again Brexiteer Adam Tomkins seems confident that he knows – promising that Brexit means ‘taking back control’ by ending financial contributions to the EU and ending freedom of movement.

“This is a recipe for a hard Brexit and goes much further than what the UK government themselves have said.

“Just last week David Davis said that the government was considering paying the EU for access to the single market.

“It seems it is one rule for the city of London and another for Scotland – and the Scottish Tories are happy with that.

“And while Ruth Davidson previously pledged to fight for continued membership of the single market – even if this meant continued freedom of movement – her frontbencher is now adopting the hard-Leaver language of ‘taking back control’ over immigration.

“This is the clearest confirmation yet that they want Scotland's distinctive voice, interests and overwhelming Remain vote to be ignored in favour of a hard Brexit pursued by right-wing Tories.

“With Ruth Davidson’s party fully signed-up for whatever scheme Theresa May decides on, it is now more than ever vital that we make Scotland’s voice heard to protect jobs and living standards from a disastrous hard Tory Brexit – and that means keeping our place in the single market.”

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