THE SNP has warned Boris Johnson’s promises are “not worth the paper they are written on” after a leaked document suggested workers’ rights will be ripped up after Brexit.

Europe spokesman Stephen Gethins MP said pledges by the Prime Minister to maintain the employment protections after leaving the EU were nothing more than “empty words” to buy votes for his deal.

The leaked document indicated the Government could seek to diverge away from the bloc’s rules on both workers’ rights and environmental protections after Brexit.

Johnson last week told MPs the UK was committed to “the highest possible standards” on both sets of standards – a stance that helped to convince 19 Labour MPs to back his Withdrawal Agreement Bill at second reading on Tuesday.

But the leaked Department for Exiting the European Union document, obtained by the Financial Times, said the way the political declaration had drafted the workers’ rights and environmental protection commitments left “room for interpretation”.

It is said to boast that “UK negotiators successfully resisted the inclusion of all UK-wide level playing-field rules” in the previous deal negotiated by Theresa May’s team, allowing Britain to compete against EU members by possibly watering down rights.

Gethins said: “Despite all the rhetoric, it’s clear that Boris Johnson and his government are planning to rip up workers’ rights and pursue a post-Brexit race to the bottom on regulations that have maintained key protections for workers.

“Just a week ago Johnson pledged to maintain a level playing field with our EU partners on workers’ rights and environmental protections – today it’s been revealed to be nothing more than empty words in an attempt to buy off votes for his damaging deal. His promises are not worth the paper they are written on.

“We already know Johnson’s plans would be devastating for Scotland - hitting the economy, costing thousands of jobs and harming people’s livelihoods – and this latest government document confirms that Johnson is still intent on going further in downgrading rights and protections that millions of people rely on.”

Gethins said Scotland’s interests have been ignored throughout the Brexit process and Johnson’s plans single out Scotland “for a raw deal”.

He added: “His move to strip away hard-won protections would consign workers across Scotland to further hardship. It is clearer than ever that the only way to properly protect our interests is to become an independent European country – and the people of Scotland must have that choice.”

The UK Government said it has “no intention” of lowering the standards of workers’ rights or environmental protection after Brexit.

DUP leader Arlene Foster yesterday demanded “honesty” from Johnson over Brexit, as she warned that her party will continue to say no to his Brexit deal unless he secures further concessions from Brussels.

At the party conference in Belfast, Foster reflected on Johnson’s speech to the same event last year, when he insisted he would not erect any new economic barriers in the Irish Sea.

She said: “Without change, we will not vote for the Prime Minister’s agreement.”