MICHAEL Russell has written to the Michael Gove warning his proposals for a so-called “UK internal market” after Brexit face widespread and growing opposition from businesses, farmers and consumers across Scotland.

In his letter to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Russell also underlined Holyrood's opposition to the legislation with 92 MSPs rejecting the plans and only 31 backing them in a recent vote.

Scotland’s Constitutional Affairs Secretary said that the plans are the “most significant threat to devolution since 1999” and if the UK Government presses ahead with them support for independence would increase further.

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"The UK Government should be left in no doubt about the strength and breadth of opposition to their bid to undermine devolution.

“Not only are the Tories isolated on this politically, with all other parties at Holyrood opposing these plans, there is also widespread and growing opposition from groups right across Scottish society,” he said.

He added: “The National Farmers Union Scotland, the General Teaching Council for Scotland and the Scottish Council for Development and Industry are just some of those who have spoken up.

“Civic Scotland is uniting against this Tory power grab on Holyrood, and Michael Gove and his colleagues should be in no doubt about the political price they will pay if they refuse to listen."

Russell appealed to Gove to drop the plans and to co-operate with the Scottish Government in completing the post-Brexit frameworks.

He warned: “Majority support for independence is already becoming the settled position, but if the Tories try to press ahead with this arrogant, ill-thought out attempt to undermine the Scottish Parliament, it will only see even more people conclude that Scotland’s best future is as an independent country.”