THE Scottish Tories have been accused of being “morally bankrupt” after voting against a Commons bid to outlaw trade deals with countries that are committing genocide.

The amendment to the Trade Bill, made by peers in the House of Commons, would have forced ministers to withdraw from any free trade agreement with any country which the High Court rules is committing mass killings.

It was backed by Labour, the SNP and dozens of Tory rebels, with Boris Johnson’s working majority of 87 dwindled to just 11.

However, the move was rejected by 319 votes to 308, with all six Scottish Tory MPs standing by the UK Government.

READ MORE: Tory MPs reject amendment to protect NHS from international trade deals

The SNP's deputy Westminster leader described Douglas Ross and his MPs’ actions as “utterly shameful”.

The National: Scottish Tory leader Douglas RossScottish Tory leader Douglas Ross

Kirsten Oswald said: "Boris Johnson's Brexit Britain is well and truly on show as the Tories voted down attempts to outlaw trade deals with countries guilty of committing genocide.

"While SNP MPs backed the amendment, it is utterly shameful that Douglas Ross and the Scottish Tory MPs fell into line, backed Boris Johnson, and rejected the measures.

"The Scottish Tories are morally bankrupt and it's clear that Scotland can do so much better than having a broken Westminster system imposed upon us, acting against our interests and values.”

"Far from being Scotland's voice in Westminster, the Scottish Tories are Westminster's men in Scotland.”

The National: SNP depute Westminster leader Kirsten Oswald SNP depute Westminster leader Kirsten Oswald

She added: "It's clear beyond any doubt that only by becoming an independent country will we be able to properly protect Scotland's interests and escape Boris Johnson's toxic Brexit Britain and race to the bottom."

The Scottish Tories have been approached for comment.

The amendment to the Trade Bill was tabled by independent peer Lord Alton. He is seeking to give British courts the right to decide if a country is committing genocide, a decision currently left to the jurisdiction of international courts.

The measure is primarily directed at protecting Uighur Muslims in China.

A total of 33 Conservative MPs rebelled by voting to retain the Lords amendment, led by former ministers Nus Ghani and Iain Duncan Smith.

READ MORE: Boris Johnson faces Tory rebellion over trade deals with genocide-committing nations

They also tabled an amendment which they believed retained the thrust of proposals introduced by peers while easing Government concerns, including about the role of the courts in trade deals, although this was not pushed to a vote.

The Government did not appear to aid its cause to dampen the rebellion when trade minister Greg Hands admitted he had not read the compromise proposal tabled by Tory colleagues.

After the vote, Duncan Smith said MPs would continue to work on proposals – with further amendments expected to emerge when the Bill returns to the Lords.

He wrote on Twitter: "Today's rebellion shows the Govt can't ignore calls to bring genocide cases before UK courts. We'll continue to work on this amendment, considering all points MPs made today.

"I hope the @UKHouseofLords will ensure an improved amendment returns to the @HouseofCommons."

He added: "The wilful ignorance of alleged genocide and grave human rights abuses in China and elsewhere must stop, we will not sell out our values for trade deals with genocidal states."

During the debate, Duncan Smith warned that the persecution of Uighur Muslims in China "has all the hallmarks of a genocide", but insisted a UK court should make that call.

Ghani wrote on Twitter: "Solid result for the genocide amendment and the numbers will embolden House of Lords to adopt the revised Ghani amendment.

"Clear message from @HouseofCommons that we will not be bystanders to genocide."

On why the Government did not support the amendment, Hands said the Government would act before a country reached a situation where it could be accused of genocide.

Concluding the debate, he told the Commons: "I don't think it would be right for the UK Government to wait for a human rights situation in a country to reach the level of genocide – which is the most egregious international crime - before halting free trade agreement negotiations.

"Any responsible government would have acted before then."

He also voiced concerns about the prospect of the amendment allowing the High Court to "frustrate, even revoke trade agreements" entered into by the Government.

Hands noted the Government is "open for further discussions on these matters" and has "no plans" to do a trade deal with China.