THE SNP has slammed the Tories’ vote for the UK Internal Market Bill as a “democratic outrage”.
The Scottish party’s attack comes after an overwhelming majority of Scotland's MPs voted against the law-breaking bill and a Holyrood vote saw its white paper defeated by 92 votes to 31.
As the bill reaches Committee stage today, the SNP will table a series of amendments to exempt Scotland from provisions that infringe on the devolution settlement - while continuing to oppose the power grab bill in its entirety.
The SNP amendments would exempt Scotland from the provisions of part 4 of the bill, which would allow an unelected body set up by Westminster to pass judgment on Holyrood laws – opening the door for companies to take legal action to strike down Scottish Parliament legislation.
READ MORE: This bizarre claim from Douglas Ross shows the Tories aren't paying attention
The amendments would also prevent the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) from acting without legislative approval from the devolved parliaments.
The SNP’s Shadow business secretary, Drew Hendry MP, said the threat of a power grab and extreme Brexit showed the Tory Government can't be trusted, and that independence is the only way to protect Scotland's interests.
Hendry, who yesterday called the bill’s introduction a “day of national shame and infamy”, said: "It is a democratic outrage that Boris Johnson is forcing this power grab bill through despite overwhelming opposition from Scotland's Parliament and MPs - proving Scotland will never be treated as an equal partner in the UK.
"By attacking the foundations of devolution, breaking international law, and threatening to impose an extreme Brexit against Scotland's will, the Tory Government is demonstrating yet again that the only way to protect Scottish democracy and our place in Europe is to become an independent country.
"The SNP will continue to oppose this dangerous and undemocratic bill, which would give Westminster a free hand to overrule the Scottish Parliament in devolved areas - threatening our NHS, our food and environmental standards, and a race to the bottom under a Tory Brexit.”
READ MORE: Tory Brexit Internal Market Bill: Here's how Scotland's MPs voted
The SNP’s proposed amendments to the bill are as follows:
Clause 28, page 20, line 31, leave out “, Scotland”
This amendment would exempt from the operation of Part 4 (independent advice on and monitoring of UK internal market) regulatory provisions applying in Scotland which did not apply to the whole of the UK.
Clause 29, page 21, line 3, at the beginning insert “Following legislative approval from all devolved administrations,”
This amendment would ensure that the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) may only undertake a review following legislative approval from all devolved administrations.
Clause 38, page 29, line 22, after “must” insert “obtain the agreement of the devolved administrations and”
This amendment would ensure that the Secretary of State cannot decide the amount for penalties with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) without agreement from devolved administrations.
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