THE UK Government’s co-operation with Scotland got “significantly worse” after Boris Johnson became Prime Minister, according to the Constitution Secretary.

Mike Russell was speaking to the Future Relationship with the European Union Committee this morning after the Internal Market Bill passed its first Commons hurdle, and was asked about Westminster’s working relationship with Holyrood.

Jeremy Miles, the Counsel General and Brexit Minister for Wales, also appeared to give evidence on the UK’s co-operation with the devolved nations.

The legislation voted on in the Commons last night has been described as a power grab on the devolved nations, and aims to “cripple” devolution after the UK leaves the EU according to the First Minister.

READ MORE: Tories' 'undemocratic' power grab bill clears first Commons hurdle

Russell told the committee this morning: “There’s tended to be a view from the UK Government, as long as meetings took place this was consultation and discussion. It wasn’t. The quality of dialogue has been poor throughout that period, but has certainly got significantly worse since Boris Johnson became Prime Minister.

“There is in my view a hostility towards devolution in the current government, that hostility shows in the quality of engagement.”

The SNP MSP said that throughout the Brexit process the “flow of information” has been important, given the arrangements which will need to be put in place once the UK leaves the bloc. Russell said this is especially so no as the risk of a No-Deal Brexit appears to be increasing.

“It has been fairly difficult to get the information that is required in order to prepare for that and that was not true in the previous administration,” he told MPs.

Scotland voted by 62% to remain in the EU in 2016 – but Russell argued the UK Government hasn’t taken the country’s efforts to find compromise, like calls to stay in the common market, seriously.

Asked by the committee how Holyrood expects the UK Government to engage with them, Russell responded: “We have been in such a difficult set of circumstances for so long that it would be difficult, and I do accept this, it would be difficult to find a way in which we could work constructively together.

“There’s no trust in the relationship. Absolutely none, now.”

Last night the Internal Market Bill passed by 240 to 263 despite rumours of a stirring Tory backbencher rebellion. All six Scottish Tory MPs voted for the legislation.

The SNP’s Kirsten Oswald said the power grab on the Scottish Parliament was “dangerous and undemocratic”.

“It is outrageous that Westminster is forcing this bill through despite overwhelming opposition from Scotland's MPs and national Parliament,” she said.