The SNP has said the Tory government’s power grab bill represents the “biggest threat to devolution in decades” – handing Boris Johnson the power to overrule the democratic will of the Scottish Parliament in devolved areas.

Ahead of the publication of the UK government’s so-called internal market bill, SNP Westminster Leader Ian Blackford MP (pictured) said the only way to protect Scotland’s interests and place in Europe was to become an independent country.

Commenting, SNP Westminster Leader Ian Blackford MP said:

“The Tory power grab bill represents the biggest threat to devolution in decades, and would enable Westminster to overrule the democratic will of the Scottish Parliament.

“This is the same broken bill that has already been decisively rejected by Scotland’s national parliament but Boris Johnson is trying to railroad it through anyway to undermine devolution and impose an extreme Brexit against Scotland’s will.

“Yet again, the Tory government is proving it cannot be trusted to respect Scotland’s wishes.

“Scotland has been completely ignored by Westminster throughout the Brexit process and now we face a full-scale assault on the foundations of our devolution settlement.

“It’s no wonder that the majority for independence is at record levels.

“It is clearer than ever that the only way to protect Scotland’s interests and our place in Europe is to become an independent country.”