DAVID Mundell may not be standing up for Scotland amid the power grab, but he had a good go at defending the Union.
Mundell was taking questions from MPs after giving a statement on "The Sewel Convention, EU Withdrawal Bill and Scotland".
There are wide fears that the Sewel Convention is at risk – that in future, Westminster won't bother with the consent of Holyrood when passing legislation.
Mundell was adamant that because these aren't "normal times", due to the shambolic Tory Brexit, the UK can do pretty much whatever it wants.
He also used the occasion to slam Labour for not being Unionist enough, and to blame the SNP's desire for a veto on UK-wide arrangements for no more talks being held.
His determination to blame the SNP was strong throughout – despite Labour, the LibDems and the Greens also voting to refuse consent for the bill in Holyrood.
The party had their chance to hold Mundell to account though. Our live blog – here's a link – can give you a full round-up, but there were a few key moments.
Tommy Sheppard had some excellent points to make, and is one of many in the SNP and Labour calling for the Scotland Secretary to resign.
In 2014 we were promised a partnership of equals. But this week the UK government ripped up the devolution settlement. Time for Mundell to go #powergrab pic.twitter.com/C15KBP512i
— Tommy Sheppard MP (@TommySheppard) June 14, 2018
"Scotland is not a partner of the United Kingdom. Scotland is part of the United Kingdom," Mundell said.
Technically accurate? Probably. Tone deaf? Definitely.
That wasn't the only painful moment for him either. SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford, fresh from his walk-out at Prime Minister's Questions, took aim too.
Blackford asked: "Is that all you've got? Is that the best you can do?"
SNP's @IanBlackfordMP to Mundell: "Is that all you've got?"#BrexitShambles #SNPwalkout #DissolveTheUnion pic.twitter.com/dOrKSTtneW
— Pilar Fernandez (@pilaraymara) June 14, 2018
None of this will make up for Westminster giving just 15 minutes of debate to the EU Withdrawal Bill's effect on devolution before a key vote ... but we should be grateful when Mundell appears at all.
And his failure to stand up for Scotland won't be forgotten.
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