A local politician has criticised Scottish Conservative MPs who voted against amendments to the EU Withdrawal Bill which protects powers that currently reside with the Scottish Parliament.
Gavin Newlands, SNP MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, said that amendments would have protected 111 of the devolved responsibilities of the Scottish Parliament.
Mr Newlands claims these powers could now be lost due to Clause 11 of the Withdrawal Bill supported by Scottish Conservative MPs, including neighboring constituency MP for East Renfrewshire, Paul Masterton.
In a midnight vote on Tuesday morning, SNP MPs voted for amendments to Clause 11, and against the unamended clause, which Newlands describes as the biggest power grab by Westminster since the establishment of the Scottish Parliament in 1999.
Gavin Newlands, SNP MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, said: “Last night’s vote was a sad day for those who support Scottish devolution, as the UK Government with the support of the Scottish Conservative MPs, voted through a clause to the EU Withdrawal Bill which quite simply is the biggest Westminster power grab on the Scottish Parliament since it reconvened in 1999.
“62% of Scots want to see responsibilities over devolved areas currently held by Europe transferred straight to the Scottish Parliament. However, this latest set of Brexit shenanigans creates the conditions whereby up to 111 powers under the current responsibility of the Scottish Parliament will be transferred back to Westminster. Once again, Westminster and the Scottish Tories have failed to respect our Scottish Parliament.
“Ruth Davidson told us all that her Scottish Conservative MPs would stand up for Scotland and for the interests of the Scottish Parliament. However, time and time again they’ve shown themselves to act only in the interest of the Tory Chief Whip.
“The Tories are trying to use the Brexit mess that they’ve created to roll back on the very principles of devolution. The SNP will continue to campaign against their regressive approach and stand up for the Scottish Parliament.”