Spain will block special Brexit deal for Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon warned

Nicola Sturgeon speaking in front of an European flag - Image credit: First' Minister's Flickr

The Spanish government will not support Scotland’s bid to stay in the European single market after Brexit, one of the country's top MEPs has declared.

Esteban Gonzalez Pons, who leads the Spanish delegation of MEPs in the European Parliament’s largest political grouping, said the Nicola Sturgeon's demands were "impossible".

The First Minister has made single market membership for Scotland one of her key demands as she attempts to thrash out a deal with Theresa May.

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She has also held talks with Brussels officials in an attempt to drum up support.

But Gonzalez Pons told the Daily Telegraph: "It’s impossible. Scotland, while it is part of the United Kingdom, has to be the same as the UK.

"If Spain agrees a special deal for Scotland after Brexit, Spain has to negotiate a special position for Gibraltar and we accept that Gibraltar could be part of the single market.

"We’re not going to accept Scotland in the single market without the rest of the UK."

In a clear reference to separatist movements in Catalonia and Spain's Basque region, the MEP added: "More than any other European country, we want to be the best friend for the UK government.

"Spain has many reasons to be a good friend for the UK and having the same point of view they have about the Scottish question."

Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson said: "People deserve the reality, not nationalist spin: and the fact is that European nations like Spain are making it clear that they cannot entertain the SNP's proposals. As Mr Pons says, they are 'impossible'."

But a spokesperson for the Scottish Government said: "Brexit is by far the biggest threat to Scotland’s jobs, prosperity and economy, and that is why we have always been clear that remaining in Europe – and as members of the world’s largest single market – is the best option for our future.

"The people of Scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU – and we are exploring all options to protect Scotland’s national interests.

"We will set out proposals in the next few weeks that will keep Scotland in the single market even if the rest of the UK leaves."