Opposition parties have heaped scorn on Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn for his apparent ignorance on the single market.
Mr Corbyn claimed: “The single market is dependent on membership of the EU”, but his statement is incorrect, because the single market consists of all EU countries as well as non-EU countries Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
The Labour leader also claimed immigration has been used to “destroy” the conditions of British workers.
SNP MSP Joan McAlpine argued Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale needed to explain where her party stood on the issue.
She said: “First, Jeremy Corbyn backed Nigel Farage and Theresa May in his support for a hard Brexit – now he’s mimicking their inflammatory language on immigration.
“Many people within the Labour Party will no doubt be embarrassed their leader has made such deeply irresponsible remarks on immigration – and they will be perplexed he seems unaware of the distinction between single market membership and EU membership.
“It is not only entirely possible for the UK to remain a member of the single market even after Brexit, it is absolutely essential to do so to protect thousands of jobs and our living standards.”
“Kezia Dugdale used to say that Scottish Labour was ‘absolutely committed’ to retaining our single market membership.
“It’s time for her to explain whether she backs her colleague Carwyn Jones – or whether she’ll follow Jeremy Corbyn’s lead and dance to UKIP’s tune.”
A Scottish Labour spokesman said: “Kezia Dugdale and Jeremy Corbyn have been clear that Labour supports a jobs-first Brexit.
“As Kez has repeatedly said, we support tariff-free access to the single market for the UK.
“Jobs, the economy and retaining the benefits of the single market and the customs union are our priority.”
But Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton said: “Jeremy Corbyn’s failure to stand up for the Single Market is a betrayal of future generations who will suffer most from an extreme Brexit.
“He is parroting the lie used by leading Brexiteers that membership of the Single Market is the same as staying in the EU.
“It doesn’t have to be this way. The Liberal Democrats will end the chaos and work with MPs from all parties to oppose an extreme Brexit and give the people the final say on the deal.”
