Michael Gove has been challenged to appear before MSPs to explain the Tory Government’s Brexit strategy.
Holyrood politicians want to grill the leading Brexiteer on plans to take the UK out of the European Union without a deal on October 31 despite warnings of dire economic consequences.
Gove, a key figure in Boris Johnson’s Cabinet, is yet to respond to an invitation to attend Holyrood’s finance and constitution committee.
SNP MSP Tom Arthur said: “Boris Johnson might think he can avoid scrutiny by shutting down Westminster but there’s more than one parliament in the UK.
“Holyrood is ready to step into the gap and hold the UK Government to account. With Westminster shut down, ministers have cleared their diaries and have no excuse not to answer questions in the Scottish Parliament.”
Gove is understood to have been asked to attend Holyrood’s Europe committee to answer questions on the Yellowhammer report on the consequences of No Deal.
The UK Government has been accused of doctoring the document after it emerged one received by the Scottish Government was titled “reasonable worst-case scenario”, while other versions were labelled “base scenario”.
Hilary Benn MP, chairman of the Commons Brexit select committee, has written to Gove asking him to explain the difference.
A spokesman for Gove said he had not yet decided whether to attend the Holyrood hearings.
