Scottish Government refuses consent for UK Internal Market Bill

Scottish Constitution Secretary Mike Russell said the Bill means Scottish Parliament decisions in some areas can be overridden (Jane Barlow/PA)

The Scottish Government has confirmed it will recommend Holyrood refuse consent for new UK legislation on post-Brexit trading arrangements – setting itself up for another clash with Westminster.

Scottish Constitution Secretary Mike Russell said it was a “defining moment” in the relationship between the SNP government in Edinburgh and Boris Johnson’s Conservative administration in London – as he insisted the UK Internal Market Bill should be “stone dead” without the formal backing of MSPs.