Opposition parties to meet Nicola Sturgeon to push for Article 50 extension

First minister Nicola Sturgeon. Photograph: Andrew Milligan/PA. - Credit: PA Wire/PA Images

Opposition parties – including Scotland’s first minister – will meet in London to plot to bring down Theresa May’s Brexit deal and to secure an extension to Article 50.

Nicola Sturgeon is visiting London to urge MPs to reject the prime minister’s Brexit deal and secure an extension to Article 50 to avoid a no-deal withdrawal.

She will campaign for the two-year period for leaving the EU triggered by Article 50 to be extended to give Parliament time to find an alternative way forward.

Speaking before she travelled to London, the SNP leader 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.

‘As soon as the prime minister’s deal has been put to bed, all parties and MPs must come together to agree a better way forward.’

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford has said he expects an amendment to suspend the Article 50 EU withdrawal process to be brought forward in the Commons in the coming days.