Christmas rules 'unlikely' to change in England because Boris Johnson 'doesn't want to punish the North'

referendums should only be held “once in a generation”. The Tory leader told the BBC’s Andrew Marr programme: “Referendums in my experience, direct experience, in this country are not particularly jolly events.

SNP, Scottish Labour, Lib Dem and Green MSPs voted to refuse “consent” to the Bill linked to the agreement.

SNP leader at Westminster accused the Tory Prime Minister of “betrayal” on fishing rights, student exchanges and denying the sovereignty of the Scottish people as MPs debated the results of months of tortuous Brexit negotiations.

First Minister will update MSPs on the latest data and plans to combat the sudden spike in infections, which is being blamed on a new strain of Covid which passes more easily from person to person.The Scottish Parliament was meant to be in recess for the Christmas holidays but has been recalled for only the fourth time in its history so members can debate Boris Johnson's Brexit bill.All mainland council areas were placed in tier four of the Scottish Government's lockdown framework as of Boxing

promises the Tories made to the industry appeared to have been broken. Macdonald, who represents the largest quota owners in Scotland, said that while the full details of the deal were to emerge it did not appear to deliver on the industry’s aspirations.

immediately attacked the settlement, saying “there is no deal that will ever make up for what Brexit takes away from us.”On a historic Christmas Eve that will set Scotland and the UK on a different political course from the rest of Europe, Johnson boasted that his “jumbo-sized Canada-style deal” was what the country needs.Johnson said the agreement resolves the European question which has “bedevilled” British politics for generations.But as Sturgeon made plain the end of the Britain’s four

Boris Johnson said the deal would "benefit every party of the UK".The Prime Minister declared it would boost the fishing industry as well as the financial sector - two key employers north of the Border.European diplomats will meet on Christmas morning to review the deal on behalf of the EU's 27 member states, while MPs are likely to vote on the agreement on December 30.But the First Minister took a less than enthusiastic view.Sturgeon tweeted: “Before the spin starts, it’s worth remembering that

Prime Minister emerged from a Cobra crisis management meeting to tell a televised press conference he and French President Emmanuel Macron were “working on a solution” to sort the situation “in the next few hours”. But with millions of pounds worth of live shellfish exports from Scotland heading to the biggest continental market of the year the PM gave no firm guarantees of resolving the issue.

First Minister also announced a strict travel ban between Scotland and the rest of the UK and the world.

coronavirus across Scotland.

Prime Minister was thrown by the question and left chief medical officer Chris Whitty to answer a technical point while he came up with an answer. After some consideration Johnson srcambled for the possibility of a Brexit deal on fishing that would give Scottish boats a bigger share of quota in the New Year.

Michael Gove is joining day-two of crisis talks on the future of plans for up to three households to mix between December 23 and 27. The talks involve all devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.They broke up yesterday after the first summit ended without an agreement.

direct to your inboxUrgent talks between UK leaders on the easing of coronavirus restrictions over Christmas will resume on Wednesday amid increasing pressure to halt the plans over concerns of a fresh spike in cases.Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove discussed the scheduled relaxation with the first ministers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on Tuesday but they did not confirm a new position.However, a source in the UK Government said there were no plans to change number of days or