Image source, bbc

Mr Russell says he is writing to David Lidington today to discuss isssues of concern around the Sewel Conventinon and Brexit legislation.

He says the government cannot consider inviting the Scottish Parliament to give its legislative consent if the UK government reserves the right to set aside the Scottish Parliament's view for all Brexit bills.

Image source, PA

In July 1998, the UK government announced that a convention would be established so that Westminster would not normally legislate on devolved matters in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland without the consent of the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Assembly or the Northern Ireland Assembly.

The devolution settlement of that time meant that power was handed to the three nations, but sovereignty was retained by Westminster.

This undertaking was subsequently expanded, and now consent is also required for legislation on reserved matters if it would alter the powers of the devolved parliaments and ministers.

A new sub-section of the Scotland Act 2016, external clearly stated: "It is recognised that the parliament of the United Kingdom will not normally legislate with regard to devolved matters without the consent of the Scottish Parliament."

Read more here.

Brexit Secretary Michael Russell says the Sewel convention has been "impeccably observed" since 1999 - "until now".

The Scottish government believes the convention was breached by the passage of the EU Withdrawal Act, he tells the committee.

Mr Russell says Sewel is of no value if the UK government considers at the end of the process that consent is not required.

There is grave cause for concern about the future of Sewel under this government, he asserts.

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Committee convener Bruce Crawford welcome the witnesses to the meeting:

• Brexit Secretary Michael Russell
• Gerald Byrne from the Scottish government
• Mr Steven MacGregor from the Scottish government

Image source, Pa

First up this morning we have Brexit Secretary Mike Russell giving evidence on the EU Withdrawal Act, after Scottish Secretary David Mundell put the UK government view forward last week.

The Scottish parliament refused consent to the Act earlier this year.

Mr Mundell insisted the Sewel convention had not been broken, a perspective with which the Scottish government disagrees.

Common frameworks, and whether they will be imposed or not, will be the key issue.

Mr Mundell focused on the desire to reach agreement between the two governments and would not comment on whether frameworks would be imposed.

This is only the first part of a hefty schedule for the the Finance and Constitution Committee, external though - it will also be discussing forecast evaluation with the Scottish Fiscal Commission and contingent liability with Finance Secretary Derek Mackay....more of which later!

Here's the papers for this jam packed committee., external

Good morning and welcome to Holyrood Live on Wednesday 12 September 2018.

Brexit Secretary Mike Russell will give evidence to the Finance and Constitution Committee on the EU Withdrawal Act.

This is only the first part of a hefty schedule for the committee though - it will also be discussing forecast evaluation with the Scottish Fiscal Commission and contingent liability around the Winchburgh Development in West Lothian with Finance Secretary Derek Mackay.

Image source, Getty Images

Portfolio questions will focus on the environment, climate change, land reform and the economy, today starting at the earlier time of 1:30pm.

This is to allow time for a statement on transvaginal mesh from 2:10pm.

The afternoon's debate will be on the recently published, but somewhat delayed, Suicide Prevention Plan.

Scottish Green Party co-convener Patrick Harvie will then congratulate ApparelXchange, a social enterprise working to tackle child poverty, in his member’s debate.