THERE was anger yesterday after only three MPs – all SNP members – turned up for a meeting of Westminster’s Scottish Affairs Committee in Kirkcaldy where migrants relived their stories of life in Scotland.

The SNP said the failure of Scottish Tory, Labour and Liberal Democrat members to turn up for the meeting – part of an inquiry into immigration in Scotland – spoke volumes about their priorities.

Committee chair Pete Wishart, Edinburgh North and Leith MP Deidre Brock and Tommy Sheppard, the MP for Edinburgh East, were in attendance to explore how post-Brexit immigration policy should address the needs of current migrants, the agricultural sector and rural communities in Scotland.

Members of the Fife Migrant Forum related their experiences of coming to live and work in Scotland, and discussed how the EU referendum result had affected their ability to plan for the future and the likelihood of their staying here.

The committee also heard from representatives of the National Farmers Union Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the local authority body the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.

There are four Scottish Tories on the Committee, three Scottish Labour and one from the Scottish LibDems, as well as the three SNP members.

SNP strategist and co-founder of the National Collective, Ross Colquhoun, said on social media: “The Scottish Affairs Committee, which is meant to represent Scotland at Westminster, met in Kirkcaldy today. Only @theSNP turned up - Labour, Tories and Liberal Democrats were all posted missing. Who is getting on with the day job?”

Ian Blackford, the SNP’s Westminster leader, tweeted: “It is more than a pity that none of the Tory, Labour or Lib Dem members on the committee could be bothered to turn up. Thank goodness all the SNP members on the committee were there to hear the evidence presented. #dayjob”

Committee member Deidre Brock attacked the MPs’ absence: “This was an important meeting and the failure of MPs from the Scottish Tories, Labour and Lib Dems to even show up speaks volumes about their priorities.

“I appreciate MPs face diary constraints, but Brexit is the biggest issue facing Scotland, and poses a huge risk to the Scottish economy.”

However, the SNP’s opponents were quick to come up with excuses.

A spokesman for the Scottish Conservative MPs said: “The four Scottish Conservative members all take their committee responsibilities seriously, and have attended the majority of evidence sessions.

“However, there are occasions when other commitments prevent MPs from being at committee meetings.

“With today being the first day back after Parliamentary recess, the Scottish Conservative MPs all had previously arranged engagements that they were obliged to attend.

“All Scottish Conservatives informed the Committee officials that they were not able to attend today’s session in Fife.”

Aberdeen South Tory Ross Thomson was meeting Environment Secretary Michael Gove about electric shock dog-training collars – the sale of which the Scottish Government has effectively banned – to launch a campaign to ban them.

But Brock and Sheppard already took that battle to Westminster last month, and have started a public petition against the devices.

Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk Tory, John Lamont, was pictured on social media meeting representatives from EE and BT in parliament, to discuss broadband and mobile connectivity, along with his colleague Kirstene Hair.

Christine Jardine, the LibDem MP for Edinburgh West, said: “I was disappointed to miss today's meeting which is one of a series I have attended around Scotland but unfortunately I had other constituency and Westminster related issues.”

Brock added: “Today we heard from people who have come to Scotland to work, live and contribute to our society, and the human impact the UK government’s Brexit chaos is having.

“These committee hearings are important to inform our work.

“The SNP will continue to work towards the best possible deal as the UK leaves the European Union.”

A Scottish Labour spokesperson said: “Today the Scottish Labour members of the Scottish Affairs Committee were unable to attend a hearing in Kirkcaldy due to diary commitments and Parliamentary business.

“This is a long-running inquiry. There have been five previous sessions on immigration and Scottish Labour members have been fully engaged in the work of the committee.

“Further meetings on this topic will take place next month and Scottish Labour members will continue to make a valuable contribution to the inquiry.

“It is disappointing that once again the SNP has taken such a partisan approach by seeking to score political points, when the spirit of this committee is to work in partnership for the interests of the people of Scotland.”