Image source, bbc

SNP MSP Emma Harper moves to the contentious issue of fisheries.

Mr Russell points out that the agreement means the promises to Scottish fishermen are unlikely to be delivered.

The Brexit secretary is worried about the sudden appearance of aquaculture in the agreement and adds that he thinks there is something cynical about this.

Ms Harper asks if fishermen should be alerted to the fact there is a potential sell-out here, citing Scottish Secretary David Mundell saying he was content with the deal.

Mr Russell replies that if fishing was a red line for the the Scottish secretary he does not understand his reaction, but that is a matter for him.

Tory MSP Adam Tomkins raises the Healthcare (International Arrangements) Bill, external, which he says will help 200,000 British pensioners to continue to access to healthcare they need elsewhere in Europe.

He points to previous comments by Mr Russell that the Scottish government would take no part in consent to any Brexit legislation.

Mr Tomkins says this would mean patients may be "harmed".

Mr Russell says he will have discussions with the relevant minister about this specific bill.

Is it still the Scottish government's position that it will have nothing to do with the consent process, Mr Tomkins presses.

Mr Russell says the government will deal with issues as they arise, as most would expect.

The Tory MSP says Mr Russell had previously thrown his toys out the pram and it now having to pick them back up.

Scottish Green Party co-convener Patrick Harvie asks if there has been any discussion with Mr Russell about the joint proposed committee between the EU and the UK.

"There has been no such discussion, but the precedent of this is worrying," replies the Brexit secretary.

He says he thought there would have been one meritorious person in Scotland who should be on that committee.

Mr Russell insists this deal is bad for Scotland and he would hope that others would come to the same "factual conclusion".

Tory MSP Murdo Fraser suggests the cabinet secretary had made his mind up on the deal before he had even read it.

The Tory MSP then asks whether a no deal would be better or worse than this deal.

Mr Russell accepts that a no deal would be worse, but so would an "alien invasion".

Mr Fraser points to support for the deal from a number of business representative groups.

The Brexit secretary says he is engaging with such groups, but again insists the deal is bad.

I am aiming to counter the "false propaganda" that is it this deal or no deal, he argues.

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Working across party is absolutely essential, insists Mr Russell and he points out that if the House of Commons votes down the deal the UK government should extend Article 50.

Tory MSP Murdo Fraser tells the Brexit secretary that he has been negative about the deal and asks if he has read the agreement.

I have it here and I have skimmed it, replies Mr Russell.

It would take a lawyer three days to study it properly, he says.

The Brexit secretary insists he knows what is in it.

Mr Fraser says 23 minutes after the document was published the Brexit secretary said the this is "a very poor and disastrous deal".

Mr Russell reiterates his view that this deal would be "very bad for Scotland".

Nicola Sturgeon says the latest draft of Theresa May's Brexit agreement is a document which will ask people to "take a blindfold leap off a cliff".

The first minister held talks with the prime minister in London and said they had a "full, frank and calm" exchange of views.

She said Mrs May had shown her the latest draft of her plan but claimed it was a "vague, aspirational document".

Number 10 said it was "the best deal that could have been negotiated".

Read more here.

Mr Crawford asks about whether establishing a new deal is realistic.

Mr Russell insists it is possible and highlights that there is a period of 21 days in which amendments can be brought forward at the House of Commons.

He points to a range of other options which could be brought forward, including EEA membership, a general election and a People's Vote.

It is not this deal or nothing, the Brexit secretary argues.

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Brexit Secretary Mike Russell says this deal arises because of the red lines the prime minister set.

Mr Russell tells the committee that the red lines, including no jurisdiction for the European Court of Justice or leaving the single market, are particularly damaging for Scotland.

"The outcomes will be bad for Scotland in the short, medium and long term."

He says the Scottish government must work hard, cross-party, to reject this deal.

I was at a "deeply unsatisfactory JMC" on Monday he says, and discussions will continue.

Image source, bbc

Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed her SNP MPs will vote against Theresa May's Brexit deal.

The First Minister rejected claims her Westminster MPs could abstain on the vote in the House of Commons.

The SNP leader said it would be "deeply irresponsible" for any MPs to endorse the prime minister's agreement, published last week.

And she revealed she will be heading to London to talk to opposition parties about alternatives in the coming days.

Speaking on the BBC's Marr programme, Ms Sturgeon criticised the 585 page draft deal between the UK and the EU.

Read more here.

Committee convener Bruce Crawford says there is concern among the general public about what the Brexit agreement means for them.

There clear message I am getting is that they just want the uncertainty to end, he says.

Brexit Secretary Michael Russell says he shares the view that this uncertainty should come to an end, describing it as an "appalling period".

"People feel terribly insecure and it's getting worse," he says.

This deal prolongs uncertainty, he insists, and says the timescale of the transition period is ambitious.

Image source, PA

Scottish Brexit Secretary Mike Russell is giving evidence to Holyrood's constitution committee on the EU withdrawal agreement.

Nicola Sturgeon says the latest draft of Theresa May's Brexit agreement is a document which will ask people to "take a blindfold leap off a cliff".

The first minister held talks with the prime minister in London and said they had a "full, frank and calm" exchange of views.

Number 10 said it was "the best deal that could have been negotiated".

Live updates here.

Good morning and welcome to Holyrood Live on Wednesday 21 November 2018.

We can expect a fiery session first up, with the constitution committee hearing from Brexit Secretary Mike Russell, after he launched a scathing attack on his UK counterparts. It will be a doozy.

Image source, bbc/Getty images

Portfolio questions will see justice ministers and transport and infrastructure and connectivity ministers in the hot seats.

MSPs will then debate and vote on amendments to the Scottish Crown Estate Bill, before debating the legislation for the final time.

Powers over the estate were devolved to Scotland in April 2017 and it's been operated under interim management since then.

The bill will create opportunities for local authorities and community groups to run parts of the estate.

A couple of legislative consent motions follow, on the UK Crime (Overseas Production Orders) Bill and Offensive Weapons Bill.

SNP MSP Clare Adamson will then highlight Pancreatic Cancer Awareness.