Image source, bbc

Labour MSP Neil Findlay says the government's handling of the whole Brexit process has been shambolic and the latest development is the fault of David Mundell and Ruth Davidson.

Mr Findlay says every single Scottish Tory MP was whipped to vote against Labour's amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill.

He says Brexit is being used as another ploy in the SNP strategy.

The Scottish Labour MSP says he has concern the Welsh government can present competent legisaltion on this issue but the Scottish government has not.

He asks what happens if the continuity bill is passed despite the presiding officer saying it is not within Holyrood's competence.

Brexit Minister Michael Russell assures the member the Scottish government will continue to work with the UK government to amend the EU Withdrawal Bill.

He argues if the Scottish government delays the introduction of the continuity bill further, it will be too late.

"We are now at the stage that we have to do that."

He says trust between the two governments is low, but a copy of the bill is now with Cabinet Officer Minister David Lidington.

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Tory MSP Adam Tomkins says: "This bill is both unwelcome and unnecessary."

Mr Tomkins says up until now there has been a constructive and mature approach and a fix between the Scottish and UK governments is close.

He asks for reassurance the continuity bill will help the speedy resolution of negotiations on the EU Withdrawal Bill.

Mr Tomkins asks what consultation Mr Russell had with the UK government over the continuity bill.

He asks how the Brexit minister can think fastracking the continuity bill is the right way to go forward.

This is the first time the Scottish government has introduced a bill that the presiding officer has said is not within the parliament's legislative competence, Mr Russell notes.

But he argues this issue is too important for either the presiding officer or himself to make alone.

"It's our obligation, indeed its our duty, to protect the devolution settlement the people of Scotland voted for. That's what we are endeavouring to do."

Image source, PA

Mr Russell confirms the Lord Advocate is satisfied that the continuity bill is within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament.

James Wolffe QC will give a statement to the parliament tomorrow, we'll bring you extensive coverge as ever.

The Brexit Minister says the presiding officers statement does not prevent the progress of the continuity bill.

Mr Russell confirms an emergency timetable for the continuity bill has been proposed, with the Scottish government hoping all stages of the Bill can take place in plenary session.

He accepts the period of scrutiny will be shorter than normal, but he offers to meet with MSPs to discuss any concerns.

If the EU Withdrawal Bill is amended appropriately, the continuity bill will be withdrawn, he confirms.

Turning to legislative competence, he says the Scottish government disagrees with the presiding officer's belief that the bill is not within the parliament's legislative competence.

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Mr Russell says it is frankly risible that UK ministers say they must reserve the right to impose frameworks due to economic reasons.

The Brexit minister says if there is not a change in position from the UK government then the Scottish government will be faced with legislation it cannot give legislative consent too.

He says the continuity bill is intended to provide legal certainty on Brexit.

It will retain EU derived law and assert thsi parliaments right to assert its own statue book.

Image source, Getty Images

Michael Russell notes other groups who have backed the Scottish and Welsh governments' position that clause 11 of the EU Withdrawal Bill was incompatible with the devolution settlement.

The UK government did accept the Bill needed to change but failed to bring an amendment in the Commons, he says.

A Lords amendment still allows the UK government to make law relating to devolved areas, argues Mr Russell.

"As a result, this new proposals remains unacceptable to the Scottish and Welsh governments."

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This whole debate is about the existing powers of the Scottish Parliament, says Mr Russell.

The Brexit minister says there does need to be UK wide frameworks for some matters.

The key priority is that these frameworks are always in Scotland's interests, he says.

They must have the agreement of the Scottish Parliament.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has rejected the UK government's latest proposal in a row over who should exercise certain powers after Brexit.

Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington said the "vast majority" of returning EU powers will start in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.

He said Westminster would only be involved where a "pause" was needed to draw up a UK-wide framework.

But Ms Sturgeon said this would still restrict the devolved administrations.

It amounts to a veto over how the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh and Northern Ireland assemblies can exercise their powers, she told the BBC.

Ms Sturgeon said it was "very likely" the Scottish Parliament will not give consent for the EU Withdrawal Bill unless the UK government changes its mind.

The move would not veto or block Brexit, but would make things extremely difficult politically for the prime minister.

• Brian Taylor: No, Holyrood cannot 'veto' Brexit
• Scots-UK Brexit powers talks to be 'intensified'

Brexit Minister Michael Russell begins by saying he regrets the Scottish government has felt compelled to introduce the UK Withdrawal from the EU (Legal Continuity) (Scotland) Bill.

"I regret it because it never needed to come to this."

He says the UK government's approach to devolution when the EU Withdrawal Bill was published last year was "careless".

The minister thanks MSPs from across the chamber for working with the Scottish government to address its issues.

The EU Withdrawal Bill allows Westminster to retain control over devolved areas he warns.

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Holyrood's presiding officer, Ken McIntosh, has said that the Scottish government's proposed Brexit bill would "not be within the legislative competence" of the Scottish Parliament.

It's the first time any presiding officer has said government legislation goes beyond Holyrood's powers. Ministers disagree and intends to press ahead with law anyway.

The dispute could end up in the UK supreme court.

The Brexit bill designed to make sure there are no gaps in devolved law when the UK leaves the European Union.

It's an alternative to the EU withdrawal bill at Westminster, which Scottish ministers have said would result in a "power-grab".

Scottish ministers have tabled their own alternative to the EU Withdrawal Bill at Holyrood.

The Scottish and UK governments are locked in a dispute over sections of the Westminster bill relating to devolved powers.

A continuity bill will be introduced at Holyrood as a stop-gap solution if MSPs do not give consent to the UK bill.

Image source, bbc/AFP/PA/GETTY

Scottish Brexit minister Mike Russell will now give a statement to MSPs.

The UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Legal Continuity) (Scotland) Bill will then be formally published by the Scottish Parliament.

The Scottish government says there was is still scope for a deal to be agreed with Westminster, but has rejected the current offer from UK ministers.

• What is the Brexit continuity bill?
• Brian Taylor on law, politics and the continuity bill

Brexit Minister Mike Russell wil now give a ministerial statement on the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Legal Continuity) (Scotland) Bill.

Image source, AF{

Here's some light reading for the debate.........fresh of the publishing press:

• UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Legal Continuity) (Scotland) Bill As Introduced, external
• UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Legal Continuity) (Scotland) Bill Policy Memorandum, external
• UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Legal Continuity) (Scotland) Bill Explanatory Notes, external
• UKWithdrawal from the European Union (Legal Continuity) (Scotland) Bill Financial Memorandum, external
• UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Legal Continuity) (Scotland) Bill Statements on Legislative Competence, external

Public Health Minister Aileen Campbell thanks MSPs from across the chamber for contributing to the debate, saying it will help foster "collective ownership" of the forthcoming strategy.

It must not be dealt with purely through the health portfolio, the minister says, stating transport, planning, social security, equalities and education can all provide part of the solution.

Although healthy eating remains a problem, there are positive examples of organisations providing children from deprived areas with access to fruit and veg, says Ms Campbell.

There has also been improvements on the number of inactive young people, she says.