DOUGLAS Ross has today accused the SNP of "pure treachery" after a UK Government source accused the Scottish Government of undermining Brexit talks.

The Westminster government, not Holyrood, is responsible for striking an deal on exiting the European Union.

But reports have emerged that the UK administration blames the Scottish Government for "undermining" the process as time runs out.

Boris Johnson has put an October 15 limit on the negotiations and the UK is on course to leave the European Union without a deal at the end of the year if these talks fail. 

That's despite public opposition and warnings over the impact on the economy.

Fisheries remain one of many sticking points.

READ MORE: Douglas Ross blasted for backing Boris Johnson's plan to ditch Brexit deal

According to The Times newspaper, the Scottish Government told an EU team that "both sides need to move a bit" on this issue to get a deal done.

The comment is said to have been made during separate discussions between Scottish and EU officials.

Westminster figures are said to have "called out" their Holyrood counterparts over the matter. A source told the newspaper: "This behaviour does not just undermine the UK Government, it undermines Scotland and its fishermen by stopping the UK from speaking as one voice to say that we want to be an independent coastal state once again."

But appearing on BBC Radio Scotland this morning, Scotland's Constitution Secretary Michael Russell suggested Westminster does not need Holyrood interference to derail progress, stating: "I think what the UK is saying is that we've attempted to disrupt negotiations — they've actually been able to do that themselves without any difficulty, they didn't need our help to do so."

Now new Scottish Tory leader Ross has accused the SNP of "pure treachery".

He blasted: "Both of Scotland’s governments should be resolute and united in doing what is best for Scotland’s fishermen. Adopting any other position is a betrayal of Scotland’s interests.

"It is pure treachery for the SNP to sell out Scotland’s fishing industry by backing Brussels over the UK Government in trade negotiations.

"The UK Government are determined to get the best deal possible for Scotland’s fishermen to capitalise on the huge opportunities that come with being an independent coastal state.

"But yet again, the SNP have made it clear again that in the fight for control of Scotland’s fishing waters, they are on team Brussels."

Responding to Ross, a spokesperson for Russell said: "The Tories sold out Scotland’s coastal communities on the way into Europe and now they are poised to sell them out on the way out.

"Either the UK Government reneges on its promises regarding access to fishing waters — or it forces a situation which will see devastating tariff and other export barriers placed on our seafood sector.

"Ever since the Brexit vote the Scottish Government has at all times sought to protect every sector in Scotland, including our coastal communities.

"In the week in which the Tories threatened to wreck all prospects of securing a deal with the EU and re-impose a hard border on the island of Ireland, it is gobsmacking hypocrisy for them to accuse anyone else of undermining the negotiation process.

"The UK Government has ignored the wishes of the people of Scotland — who overwhelmingly  want to remain in the EU — throughout this process and everybody knows responsibility for the current mess is entirely down to the hard Brexiteers who have taken over the Tory party."