BORIS Johnson has insisted Scots will benefit even if the UK crashes out of the European single market without a trade deal with the EU.
He made the assertion after coming under fire from the SNP's Westminster leader Ian Blackford at Prime Minister's Questions this afternoon.
The PM told the Commons: "I believe Scotland along with the rest of the UK will benefit from a very strong relationship with our friends and partners across the Channel whatever the circumstances, whatever the terms we reach tonight."
Talks between the UK and the EU on reaching a trade deal are deadlocked meaning Britain will leave the Brexit transition period in three weeks without yet knowing on what terms it will do business with the bloc's members.
Johnson is to meet the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for dinner in Brussels this evening in a last-ditch effort to come to an agreement.
READ MORE: Mhairi Black calls for Scotland to get same Brexit concessions as Northern Ireland
However, EU negotiators are pessimistic over the prospects of a deal.
Amid the uncertainty it was yesterday agreed between London and Brussels that Northern Ireland would get privileged access to the European single market and customs union from January 1.
Blackford accused Johnson of getting "ready to sell out" Scotland with his Brexit deal ahead of his crunch-talks in Brussels this evening.
The SNP Westminster leader called on the Prime Minister to explain to businesses north of the Border why Scotland is being "shafted" by his government.
Blackford pointed to the deal agreed by the UK with the EU which will give Northern Ireland access to the European single market and customs union.
Nicola Sturgeon had repeatedly requested a similar arrangement for Scotland - but the UK refused to pursue it despite EU politicians being open to the proposal.
Her proposals were put forward as a "compromise" to the UK Government and to reflect that like Northern Ireland Scotland voted to remain in the EU back in 2016.
Blackford also asked the Prime Minister if he expects to receive resignation letters from Tory group leader in Holyrood Baroness Ruth Davidson before or after he travels to Brussels tonight with several of his Tory colleagues criticising his hardline Brexit position.
"Yesterday, by this government’s own admission, it was confirmed that Northern Ireland is getting “the best of both worlds” - access to the EU’s Single Market and Customs Union. This is great news for businesses in Northern Ireland but leaves Scotland, who also voted Remain, dealing with the hardest of Brexits," he said.
"What is good for Northern Ireland is surely good enough for Scotland. When Boris Johnson makes his deal in Brussels, he'll be selling-out Scotland.
"Baroness Ruth Davidson has said such an act would “undermine the integrity of the UK”. The former Scottish Tory Constitution spokesperson [Adam Tomkins] it would be “the end of the union”. They, along with the former Scottish Secretary [David Mundell] said if this were to happen they would all resign.
Johnson responded: "With the whole of the rest of the United Kingdom Scotland will benefit in the substantial assets of devolved powers for Scotland and will benefit from the regaining of money, borders, laws and as I never tire of telling my friend...Scotland will take back control of colossal quantities of fish which I think is something the people of Scotland deserve to be able to exploit for the advantage of those communities."
Blackford hit back: "The Prime Minister can spin all he likes, but everyone can now see the total contempt this UK Government holds for Scotland’s interests.
Members of his Scottish branch office told him how unfair and damaging it would be to deny Scotland access to the EU’s Single Market and Customs Union, while at the same time delivering it for Northern Ireland."
Johnson retorted that it was "highly unlikely" that the resignation letters would arrive before adding that Blackford was doing "gross injustice to Scotland" and to it's future "which would be assured within the single market of the United Kingdom".
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