Nicola Sturgeon travels to London for Brexit talks

Nicola Sturgeon has returned to London for another round of talks with opposition parties on responding to the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal.

The First Minister will meet opposition leaders to discuss blocking a so-called no deal Brexit and extending article 50 ahead of MPs voting on the UK-EU withdrawal agreement on 11 December.

If MPs reject Theresa May’s plan, Labour is threatening a vote of no confidence in the government in the hope of forcing a general election.

The talks come after every party except the Scottish Tories signed a joint statement opposing May’s deal ahead of a Scottish Parliament Brexit debate on Wednesday.

Brexit and constitution secretary Michael Russell, his Labour shadow Neil Findlay, Liberal Democrat Europe spokesperson Tavish Scott and the Scottish Greens spokesperson for international development and external affairs Ross Greer put their names to it.

Speaking ahead of the visit, the First Minister said: “The last week has been a watershed moment in the Brexit process. Having now finally published its own official analysis of the economic consequences of Brexit, the UK Government can no longer hide behind their own spin – it is clear that any kind of Brexit will make Scotland and the UK poorer.

“The reality is the best deal is remaining in the EU, which is exactly what the people of Scotland voted for.

“With so much at stake for people’s jobs and living standards, it is vital that MPs come together to reject the PM’s deal, to rule out a No Deal Brexit and to secure an extension to Article 50.

“The Scottish Parliament will this week confirm its opposition to the Prime Minister’s proposals and stand firm against a No Deal Brexit and I hope the Westminster parliament will follow suit.

“As soon as the Prime Ministers deal has been put to bed, all parties and MPs must come together to agree a better way forward.”