Brexit process ‘disastrous,’ deal won’t pass U.K. parliament: Scottish minister

Nov 19 (Reuters) – Scotland’s constitution minister, Michael Russell, predicted on Monday the British government’s Brexit deal would be defeated in the U.K. parliament and said the Scottish government would do everything it could to ensure a “common-sense alternative.”“This week, therefore, while the Tories escalate their civil war, we will step up our efforts to work constructively with others to bring about an outcome that will minimize the damage of leaving the EU and protect jobs and living standards as much as possible,” Russell told the Joint Ministerial Committee (EU Negotiations), chaired by Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington.READ MORE: Theresa May warns ousting her won’t make Brexit process any smootherHe labelled the Brexit process as ‘disastrous’ and said the British government was not interested in the views of the Scottish government or parliament.“It seems clear the U.K. Government’s deal will be defeated in the House of Commons and therefore we will do everything in power to ensure a common-sense alternative is in place,” Russell said.WATCH: Michael Gove, potential new Brexit minister, says he has full confidence in Theresa May

0:51 Michael Gove, potential new Brexit minister, says he has full confidence in Theresa May

Russell, who has led talks to persuade May’s government to stay in the single market and customs union, will press the British government again on the issue but said he now had “little confidence” that U.K. ministers were interested in serious talks.