11:35

Scotland’s Brexit minister, Mike Russell, has been accused of offering “vague assurances” about preparations for a no-deal Brexit by the Scottish Greens, who are pressing the Scottish government to publish its contingency plans.

Ross Greer, the Scottish Greens’ Europe spokesman at Holyrood, won an assurance from Russell his officials would look into releasing those plans after Russell had told MSPs the Scottish government’s resilience committee had been mobilised to plan for Brexit.

Russell said officials were preparing for severe disruption of goods in the event of a no deal Brexit; food security and protecting exports; and the continuing supply of medicines and medical devices. The Times reported today that Baxters Food Group, the eponymous Scottish soup and jam-making firm, was stockpiling ingredients in case of a hard Brexit.

Russell told MSPs:

A ‘no deal’ Brexit is not yet inevitable – indeed, neither is leaving the EU at all – and I once again urge the prime minister to rule out a ‘no deal’. But as a responsible government we cannot wait any longer. The consequences and risks are too pressing and too severe.

The pro-independence Scottish Greens have been largely constant allies for the Scottish government on Brexit but Greer said after the statement he was not impressed. He said Scottish voters had a right to know exactly what ministers were preparing for and planning. He said: