Gove mocks SNP’s authority after Brexit delay demands ‘You have Europe’s largest deficit!’

Michael Gove shut down SNP demands for a Brexit transition extension with a blistering attack on the party’s record in power. During an appearance in Parliament this week, Mr Gove was grilled on the latest round of Brexit negotiations with the European Union. Scottish National Party lawmaker Margaret Ferrier questioned whether the government would listen to the opinions of “experts” and extend the Brexit transition period.

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She said “The IMF and business leaders want the government to reduce economic uncertainty during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Recent polling found that two-thirds of the public want an extension to the transition period.

“I know the minister is not always fond of expert opinion but will he heed their warnings and buy business extra time to adapt to the economic headwinds that Brexit will bring?”

British Minister for the Cabinet Office Michael Gove retorted: “Well I am very fond of experts’ opinion.”

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Gove shut down SNP demands for a Brexit transition extension with a blistering attack on the party’ (Image: PARLIAMENT TV)

Scotland’s constitution secretary Mike Russell told the UK Government that a two-year extension to the Brexit transition period must be agreed (Image: GETTY)

He continued: “And the universal view of experts is that Scotland operates the largest deficit of any country in Europe.

“Were Scotland to become independent, it would be perilous for the people of the country that I love.”

Reacting to Gove’s responses, the SNP Cabinet Office spokesman Pete Wishart told the Commons: “This government is doing nothing than playing political games with the futures of millions of people by pursuing this anti-EU agenda at all costs.”

Last year it was revealed that Scotland ran a deficit seven times higher than the UK as a whole, despite widespread cuts on public services.

Last year it was revealed that Scotland ran a deficit seven times higher than the UK as a whole (Image: GETTY)

Scotland’s deficit stood at £12.6bn or 7 percent of GDP, in 2019 compared with the UK’s total £23.5bn deficit, which includes Scotland’s figure.

The UK deficit is just equivalent to 1.1 percent of its GDP.

Boris Johnson has repeatedly ruled out any extension, with the Government saying it has “no intention of changing” the December 31, 2020, date for ending the transition.

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Gove was grilled on the latest round of Brexit negotiations with the European Union (Image: PARLIAMENT TV)

Earlier this week, Scotland’s constitution secretary Mike Russell told the Government that a two-year extension to the Brexit transition period must be agreed to avoid further damaging the virus-hit economy.

Last week, the SNP leader at Westminster Ian Blackford and the acting Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey signed a letter to EU chief negogiator Michel Barnier, supporting an extension.

Mr Barnier recently criticised  the “tone” of his UK counterpart David Frost, but said talks could move forward with “constructive engagement by the UK”.

Mr Frost recently lashed out at the EU for refusing to treat the UK as a “worthy partner”.