Video
Jacob Rees-Mogg compares SNP to Oliver Twist in latest swipe against Scottish independence movement
Jacob Rees-Mogg accused the SNP of 'modelling themselves on Oliver Twist' - Credit: Parliamentlive.tv
Jacob Rees-Mogg has compared the SNP to Oliver Twist in his latest swipe against the party's calls for Scottish independence.
Rees-Mogg said Nicola Sturgeon's party was "modelling themselves on Oliver Twist".
Speaking in the Commons, the House leader took umbrage at comments by the SNP's Tommy Sheppard that devolved administration would never back the government's internal market bill, which is seen as taking away powers from Edinburgh and Cardiff.
Sheppard said: "It is now clear that the devolved administrations will not give consent to this ridiculous piece of legislation.
"I want to know if we find the time to debate the consequences for the devolution settlement of that being the case, and of the UK choosing to ignore the devolved administrations and stream roll the legislation through anyway?"
Rees-Mogg hit back, describing the bill as "one of the best pieces of legislation passed through this House".
He said: "It is a fantastic bill, it is one of the best pieces of legislation passed through this House in recent times.
Most Read
- 1 US election result could spark 'end of Brexit', claims peer
- 2 Brexiteer says EU 'spiteful' to end fast-track lanes for Brits after Brexit
- 3 STAR TURNS: Bond star haunted by school tragedy
- 4 'Assorted caviar' and 'board games' - Gifts confiscated from Boris Johnson due to anti-corruption laws
- 5 Boris Johnson 'hid in bedroom' to avoid grilling on Brexit stance days before becoming PM
- 6 Brexit shambles: A stress of our own making
- 7 Nigel Farage places £10,000 bet on Donald Trump to win second White House term
- 8 Farage says he can dodge US travel ban because he's a 'journalist'
- 9 Boris Johnson warned majority will be 'wiped out' over treatment towards north of England
- 10 Question Time: Tory minister told 'diverse' cabinet doesn't erase race issues in party
"It also devolves I believe almost 70 powers to the devolved administration so they are modelling themselves on Oliver Twist, Mr Deputy Speaker.
"They are always asking for more, and I'm afraid they can't have more on this occasion."
Rees-Mogg said the bill would in fact give "a great deal of devolution" to Holyrood and the Senedd while keeping the internal market "functioning".
Westminster's SNP leader Ian Blackford said the bill, voted through on Tuesday night, was a "defining moment in devolution".
He accused Boris Johnson of "shattering" any remaining trust in a "broken Westminster system" by driving through controversial bill.
He also said Scottish MPs had voted overwhelmingly against the "Tory power grab bill" but it had been "forced through in the biggest attack on our Scottish parliament in the history of devolution".
Become a Supporter
The New European is proud of its journalism and we hope you are proud of it too. We believe our voice is important - both in representing the pro-EU perspective and also to help rebalance the right wing extremes of much of the UK national press. If you value what we are doing, you can help us by making a contribution to the cost of our journalism.
