SCOTTISH Labour Deputy Leader, Alex Rowley MSP, has questioned whether the current UK constitution is suitable for 21st century Britain following the decision by the UK to leave the European Union.

Speaking at public meeting, Mr Rowley said: "I would suggest that as part of our determination to find the best way forward post Brexit for our relationship with Europe and the rest of the world, we must also establish a review of how the UK is organised and is governed.

“I believe that this will require more powers being devolved to Scotland as part of a Home Rule agenda to deal with the inevitable constitutional and economic changes following on from Brexit.”

Talking of a better way he said: “The SNP talk only of the benefits of being in Europe and the disadvantages of being in the UK whilst the Tories talk only of the benefits of being in the UK and disadvantages of being in Europe. So Scotland is in danger of being stuck for years trapped between these two polar opposites.

“I am suggesting that there is another way, a better way that is not ideologically fixed to either unionism or nationalism but rather to what is in the best interest of the people of Scotland.

“Standing up for Scotland, making the case for a new constitutional settlement fit for the 21st century, putting the interests of people of every part of the UK first, and taking power to the level which gets the best deal for all the people who are part of the United Kingdom.”

Calling for the establishment of a UK wide Constitutional Convention to run parallel with the Brexit negotiations, the Kelty based MSP said there needed to be a “restructuring of the British constitution to reflect the social and economic needs and aspirations of the people of the United Kingdom as revealed by their disenchantment with Westminster, with Whitehall and the London elites.”

The event was the first in a series of public meetings on Brexit that Mr Rowley intends on taking across his constituency. As well as addressing the issue of a new constitutional settlement, he went on to discuss the impact Brexit is having, and the draft bill on a second Independence Referendum.

Stating that any plans for a second independence referendum was ‘reckless’ diverting attention from getting the best Brexit deal, he said: “There could be no central proposition until we know the terms of Brexit.

“64% of our trade is with England, and its estimated there are four times as many jobs linked to rest of the UK compared to the European Union. So if we are out of the UK but in Europe would there be an economic border with England? Would there be tariffs with England and how many jobs would be at risk?"