KEIR Starmer has been accused of betraying his own principles by backing Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal.

With Labour MPs largely backing the agreement in the Commons, the party has been told by the SNP that it must "share the blame" for any damage done by "failing to provide any opposition or alternative”.

While serving as shadow Brexit secretary, Starmer set out six tests which any potential deal must pass for him to support it. However, the SNP are accusing the Labour leader of voting for a treaty which fails each of his own tests.

His six tests, set out in March 2017, were:

  • Does it ensure a strong and collaborative future relationship with the EU?
  • Does it deliver the “exact same benefits” as we currently have as members of the Single Market and Customs Union?
  • Does it ensure the fair management of migration in the interests of the economy and communities?
  • Does it defend rights and protections and prevent a race to the bottom?
  • Does it protect national security and our capacity to tackle cross-border crime?
  • Does it deliver for all regions and nations of the UK?

READ MORE: 'A new level of incompetence': Scottish Labour meltdown over Brexit trade deal

Despite Starmer establishing a three-line whip to order his MPs to back Johnson’s deal, 36 Labour representatives rebelled.

Scottish Labour’s sole MP, Ian Murray, stood by the UK party leader, despite colleagues at Holyrood rejecting the deal.

However, Murray’s Parliamentary Private Secretary, Tonia Antoniazzi, was among the Labour rebels and resigned from her post.

The SNP voted against the Brexit deal in both the Holyrood and Westminster ballots.

The party's deputy Westminster leader, Kirsten Oswald, commented: “While SNP MPs voted to reject this hard Brexit deal and its catastrophic consequences, it beggars belief that the Labour Party refused to provide any opposition or alternative.

“Instead, Keir Starmer failed every one of his own six tests and has broken the promise he made to oppose this deal. The Labour Party has been complicit in imposing Brexit against Scotland's will – they are up to their necks in this mess and they will share the blame for the damage done.”

She added: "And despite Scotland voting overwhelmingly to remain in the EU, it is shameful that sole Scottish Labour MP Ian Murray backed the deal whilst his PPS resigned because she believes that the stance of her boss in supporting Johnson's deal was wrong.

"In Westminster and their branch office in Scotland, Labour are in a state of utter shambles. Under Keir Starmer, Labour’s position on Brexit has somehow become even more of a mess than under Jeremy Corbyn – which is quite a remarkable achievement.”

Starmer was pushed on the Brexit votes during the Commons debate on the trade deal. 

SNP MP David Linden pointed out that Labour had “two parliamentarians in Edinburgh South – one in the Scottish Parliament and one in Westminster”.

He added: “At 4 o’clock this afternoon, the member of the Scottish Parliament will vote against the deal and his member of the Westminster Parliament here will vote for the deal. How does he square that circle?”

Starmer responded: “[Linden] knows very well it’s a different vote.”

He added: “It is a completely different vote on a different issue.”