Jeremy Corbyn mocked for saying 'problematic' for Scotland to have own legal system - even though it does already

The SNP has mocked Jeremy Corbyn after he suggested it was “very problematic” to have different legal systems operating in the UK – despite that being the existing arrangement.



Speaking on his tour in Scotland, the Labour leader said he wanted “genuine devolution” of powers from Westminster.

But he added that separating economic and legal structures would be “difficult”.

Scotland’s distinct legal system was enshrined in the 1707 Act of the Union, while Northern Ireland also has its own processes.

In a question and answer session in Edinburgh, Mr Corbyn had been asked whether Labour’s commitment to federalism could allow Scotland to reflect its strong Remain vote in the EU referendum.

He replied: “We are thinking very hard about what forms devolution would take in the future. Devolution in Scotland has gone a long way.

“We are looking at the way we bring about genuine devolution and particularly economic devolution. Could you have a separate economic and legal system in different parts of the UK?

“I think that becomes difficult and very problematic. I want a Labour government that is going to legislate better working conditions for everybody across the UK.”

Joanna Cherry, the SNP’s justice spokeswoman and a QC, said the comments were “embarrassing and worrying”.

She added:

Odd that Corbyn thinks it "difficult & problematic" for Scotland to have a separate legal system given that we already have one https://t.co/s7jZKwhdTI — Joanna Cherry QC MP (@joannaccherry) August 27, 2017

Other politicians also weighed in on Twitter:

Corbyn is clearly ill informed about Scotland, we already have a separate legal system. https://t.co/tEHpvQLrfp — Michael Matheson MSP (@MathesonMichael) August 27, 2017

It would appear that Jeremy Corbyn is unaware that there is a "separate" legal system in Scotland... https://t.co/vA7Go9tY6O — Paul Masterton MP (@PM4EastRen) August 27, 2017

Mr Corbyn also said it would be “very, very difficult if not impossible” to secure different Brexit deals for different parts of the UK – one of the Scottish Government’s key demands.