SCOTLAND'S leading pro-EU organisation has blasted the Tory Government's Internal Market Bill, saying it is “reckless behaviour” that threatens devolution.
In a strongly worded letter sent to European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, and other leading EU figures, the European Movement in Scotland (EMiS), says it disassociates itself entirely from the Bill.
Ministers have admitted the deal will breach international law as it overrides key elements of the Withdrawal Agreement.
EMiS said the legislation “puts at risk the rule of law” and “threatens peace on the island of Ireland.”
The letter read: "We share the view of the European Union that the Internal Market Bill is a breach of the undertaking in the Withdrawal Agreement to negotiate in good faith.
"It puts at risk the rule of law, it jeopardises arrangements for the continuation of peace on the island of Ireland and makes more likely a no deal outcome to the EU/UK trade negotiations.
"We utterly condemn this disgraceful and underhand proposal and support the EU’s demand that international law is upheld. It is not in our name."
Von der Leyen previously said she was “very concerned” following the tabling in Parliament of the Bill.
READ MORE: Brexit: EU is ‘very concerned’ about Internal Market Bill
The development has heightened the prospect of the UK crashing out of the European Single Market in January as the EU has insisted the treaty needs to be abided by for the UK to get a free trade agreement.
Overriding the Withdrawal Agrrement means a significant shake up of state aid and spending rules, and more power being handed to London over regulations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
For the Scottish and Welsh governments, one of the most difficult proposals is for a mutual recognition regime, requiring regulatory standards in one part of the UK to be automatically accepted in others.
The devolved governments won’t be able to ask for an exemption based on public health, or environmental standards.
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The letter expressed concern that Westminster will gain "sweeping powers" over Westminster.
It went on: "The devolved nations are to have no role in defining the internal market. UK Ministers will gain sweeping powers and can get more, through statutory instrument rather than fully scrutinised primary legislation.
"The mutual recognition principle in the Bill means that goods, services and professionals meeting the standards of any part of the UK can be traded or work in all the others, and as England is by far the largest part, and the UK Government sets the rules there, it will decide. This is not a partnership of equals."
EMiS vice-chair, David Clarke, said the effect of the Bill on the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish administrations is "an assault on democracy".
“The Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government are having their powers cut against the democratic will of the voters of Scotland," he said. "This Bill is an assault on democracy.”
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