PRO-INDEPENDENCE parties have said that David Mundell cannot be trusted to speak up for Scotland as the Tory cabinet minister promised to put “Scottish voices and interests” at the centre of the UK Government’s Brexit negotiations.

The SNP said Scottish Secretary Mundell and his ministerial colleagues were to blame for the threat Scotland faces of being pulled out of the EU against its will due to the Tory government decision to call the referendum that led to the Leave vote.

Stephen Gethins, the SNP’s European Affairs lead at Westminster, blasted Mundell’s pledge to be Scotland’s champion as the UK Government negotiates the Brexit process as a “bit rich”.

Speaking to The National, Gethins said the Tories have “caused this mess” after Scotland supported Remain by a margin of 62 per cent to 38 per cent, but was outvoted by the UK as a whole by 52 per cent to 48 per cent.

Mundell, the only Tory MP north of the Border, called for a “Team UK” approach to the Brexit negotiations to push for what he said would be the best deal for Scotland.

He also said that his government would “work in the best interests of all parts of the United Kingdom” following the result of the referendum held on 23 June.

Mundell has had already held talks with business leaders in Scotland following the shock vote in June’s referendum.

He now plans a series of discussions, meeting members of the oil and gas sector, farmers, the creative industries, the legal sector and new business start-ups.

Mundell also said he would be “working closely” with the Scottish Government, which has not ruled out holding a second independence referendum in a bid to maintain the country’s links with Europe.

However, North East Fife MP Gethins, dismissing the claim, said: “Given that the Tories have caused this mess and now think it okay to drag Scotland out of EU against our will, it’s a bit rich for their sole MP to suggest that he’s acting to protect Scotland’s interests.”

The pro-independence Scottish Greens also hit out at Mundell’s claim to be a strong voice for Scottish interests and challenged the minister to use his membership of Theresa May’s cabinet to protect Scotland’s place in the EU.

Ross Greer, the Scottish Greens’ external affairs spokesman, said: “As Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell’s job is to listen to the 62 per cent of Scots who voted to remain. Evidently that is not the case and he is set to ignore this clear mandate from the people he allegedly represents at the Cabinet table.

“The Scotland Office must accept that the starting point for their part of the negotiations should not be about how the UK leaves the EU, but rather how Scotland is going to stay.”

Labour MSP Neil Findlay said that Mundell and the Tory Government could not be trusted to protect the rights of workers that may be affected by the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.

FIndlay said: “It comes as no surprise to me that David Mundell is not meeting with the STUC (Scottish Trades Union Congress) or any of its affiliated trade unions to discuss the protection of and improvement to workers’ rights during the Brexit process.

The Tories have no interest in working people but the Labour Party along with the wider Labour movement will be actively pressuring the UK and Scottish Governments to ensure that the best possible deal is negotiated.”

A Scottish Government spokesman added: “The UK Government must do more than just assert that the Union works for Scotland and ensure that the country’s wishes are accommodated and its interests are protected.”

Meanwhile, Mundell, the MP for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale & Tweeddale, will now also hold talks with local authorities across Scotland, Scottish Chambers of Commerce, the armed forces and the Young Scot organisation.

Mundell said: “My task is to ensure that Scottish voices and interests are at the centre of the negotiations to come, and that is why this engagement is so important.

“We are determined to take a ‘Team UK’ approach to this process, working closely with the Scottish Government and other partners as we form our negotiating strategy, and we will look at any suggestions they put forward.

“At every step of the way, the UK Government will work to ensure the best possible outcome for the British people and for all parts of our United Kingdom.”

The SNP has already cast doubt on Mundell’s ability to promote Scottish interests in May’s cabinet, with senior MSP Stewart Stevenson previously saying that Scotland is “on the outside looking in”.

May omitted Mundell from the new Economy and Industrial Strategy Committee, which is made up of almost half of the Prime Minister’s cabinet, including Chancellor Philip Hammond, Energy Secretary Greg Clark and International Trade Secretary Liam Fox.