THE SNP have hit out at the decision to ask judges to solve the Brexit power grab row, saying it shows a “total disregard” for devolved nations.

The Westminster Government has sparked fury over plans to create powers over a UK “internal market” following Brexit which would force Scotland and Wales to accept any standards agreed in future trade deals.

The devolved governments and opposition MPs have asked Business Secretary Alok Sharma to set up a dispute resolution panel to discuss such disagreements.

But when asked four times to commit to the panel in the Commons on July 16, Sharma claimed his proposals would see a “power surge” for devolved governments.

Yesterday Tory MP Martin Callanan confirmed that judges will be asked to solve the power grab.

He told Plaid Cymru’s Lord Wigley: “I hope there won’t be any disputes, but if there were they would be legal disputes and the correct forum for resolving legal disputes is through the court system.

“We have no intention of setting up an alternative dispute resolution procedure when we have one of the best and most efficient court systems in the world to resolve disputes.”

The UK has previously not had an internal market defined in law, as it followed the rules of the European Union internal market law – designed to ensure free movement of goods, services, capital and workers.

At the heart of the new UK “internal market” is a “mutual recognition” mechanism. This would see regulations in one part of the UK recognised in all the other nations.

That terrifies ministers in Edinburgh who believe that regime could ultimately lead to lower standards in food safety and environmental protections being imposed in Scotland.

READ MORE: Ex-SNP MEP Heather Anderson urges Scots to have say on UK internal market

Kirsten Oswald, the SNP’s Westminster Deputy leader, said she fears the plans will allow Holyrood to be “overridden” on decisions about devolved issues such as food and agriculture.

“The confirmation — through the unelected House of Lords — that the UK Government has no intention of meaningfully engaging with the devolved governments for an agreed dispute resolution system, is yet another sign of the Tories total disregard for the devolved nations,” she added.

“The Tory Government has opened the door for companies with deep pockets to challenge Holyrood legislation if we try to maintain higher standards than Westminster post-Brexit – putting at risk our key industries with the threat of the imposition of lower standard goods and produce."

She continued: “Far from strengthening the devolved nations, the UK Government’s internal market plans will enable the decisions of the Scottish Government to be overridden over devolved areas such as food and agriculture in Scotland.”

“The UK Government says it wants to take back control from the EU. It is now clear it wants to take back control from Scotland too.”

READ MORE: Furious Scottish Greens hit out at UK Brexit power grab plans

Michael Russell is expected to make a statement to Holyrood today about the issue.

He said: “The UK Government says it wants to take back control from the EU. It is now clear it wants to take back control from Scotland too.

“Companies with deep pockets will be likely to try to challenge any Scottish Parliament law they say impedes their ability to trade across the UK. And it will mean the UK Parliament effectively imposing standards in devolved policy areas regardless of the wishes of the people of Scotland and laws passed by the Scottish Parliament”, he added.

“We know the UK Government is desperate to do a trade deal with the US – including opening up our market to US agricultural products – threatening our valued and hard-won reputation for the highest quality food standards and produce.

“Under these proposals Scotland will be forced to accept any standards set and agreed by Westminster.

“This proposal is bad for consumers, bad for businesses and agriculture, and disastrous for devolution.”