NORTHERN Isles MP Alistair Carmichael has called for the UK not to “haul up the drawbridge on Europe” after signing a pledge by Greener UK, a group of leading environmental charities.

As Brexit talks continue between the UK Government and the European Union this week, Carmichael signed the pledge which is aimed at encouraging the Tories to keep EU environmental law intact as part of the “great repeal bill”, and to ensure any changes are subject to proper parliamentary scrutiny.

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Carmichael, whose party campaigned in June’s General Election for a second referendum on the terms of the Brexit deal once negotiations are complete, said: “Protection of our environment is one of the important issues where international cooperation is paramount.

“These problems cross borders. I want the government to commit to safeguarding the legislation that protects the environment as we negotiate Brexit.

“A post-Brexit Britain must not ignore the clear and undeniable challenges our environment faces due to climate change. We are already seeing the effects of our weather, wildlife and air quality.

“We cannot simply haul up the drawbridge on Europe and forget about the consequences of allowing disastrous levels of warming to occur in our atmosphere or our oceans.”