Battle lines are being drawn up over the transfer of devolved powers from the EU to Westminster.
Scottish and Welsh governments have objected to what they call a “power grab” by Westminster, which is intent on transferring power to London as a first port of call after Brexit.
But Scottish Secretary David Mundell moved to reassure devolved nations they were looking at a “power bonanza” rather than anything being taken away.
He said: “This is not a power grab but a power bonanza for the Scottish Parliament.
“After this bill has been implemented the Scottish Parliament will have more powers and responsibilities than it has today.
“I’m happy to be held to account for that statement once the process has been delivered although I expect a process row, because process rows are the Scottish Government’s speciality.”
Mr Mundell went on to outline how a number of separate bills would need to be brought forward, for example on fisheries, each requiring political approval from Holyrood in the form of a legislative consent motion (LCM).
This opens up windows for devolved nations like Scotland and Wales to politically, although not legally, veto legislation at Westminster.
But Mr Mundell said threats to refuse legislative consent in the past had not been carried though, so he was confident all
Brexit legislation would pass.
He said: “The Scottish Parliament does not have a veto on Britain leaving the EU.
“We will be following the Sewell Convention and asking for legislative consent and I’m optimistic we will obtain that consent.
“I was told in 2012 and 2016 that consent wouldn’t be forthcoming and ultimately it was.
“It wasn’t forthcoming this time, an explanation would have to be forthcoming from the SNP as to why they were opposed to extra powers coming to the Scottish Parliament.”
Mr Mundell said a fisheries bill would be brought forward as a priority before March 2019, although he didn’t elaborate on how much responsibility would be devolved to Holyrood.
Scottish Fishermen’s Federation chief executive Bertie Armstrong welcomed plans for a separate fisheries bill, which he said was essential for the industry.
He said: “Control and management cannot be obtained without the removal of certain core elements of the Common Fisheries Policy, particularly common access to our fishing grounds and guaranteed shares of fishing opportunities within our Exclusive Economic Zone.
“Such provisions would directly contradict the notion of sovereignty and cannot be transferred to UK law, even on a temporary basis.
“The UK intends to assert its right under international law to reserve first call on fishing opportunities for its own fishing fleets and communities, for the wider benefit of British jobs and investment.”
