BORIS Johnson’s controversial and "undemocratic" plan to override key elements of the Brexit deal he signed with Brussels has cleared its first Commons hurdle despite deep misgivings by some senior Tories.

MPs voted to give the UK Internal Market Bill a second reading by 340 to 263 – a Government majority of 77.

READ MORE: Brexit: Senior Tories refuse to back Boris Johnson's illegal Internal Market Bill

The Prime Minister said the legislation was necessary to prevent the EU taking an “extreme and unreasonable” interpretation of the provisions in the Withdrawal Agreement relating to Northern Ireland.

He said some in Brussels were now threatening to block UK agrifood exports to the EU and to insist on tariffs on all goods moving to Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK.

However some senior Conservatives warned they could not support the legislation in its present form after ministers admitted last week that it breached international law.

READ MORE: Alison Thewliss corrects Michael Gove on claim water and NHS not in power grab

MPs will begin detailed line-by-line scrutiny of the Bill on Tuesday, with votes expected next week on amendments to the Northern Ireland provisions which some Tories may back.

Following the vote, SNP MP Kirsten Oswald said the power grab on the Scottish Parliament was “dangerous and undemocratic” and criticised Douglas Ross and the six Scottish Tory MPs for selling Scotland out by voting for the bill.

The SNP Deputy Westminster Leader said it was increasingly clear that the only way to protect Scotland's Parliament and place in Europe is to become an independent country.

Oswald said: "Boris Johnson's naked power grab on the Scottish Parliament is dangerous and undemocratic. It is outrageous that Westminster is forcing this bill through despite overwhelming opposition from Scotland's MPs and national Parliament.

"The SNP will fiercely resist this brazen attack on devolution and Tory plans to impose an extreme Brexit against our will. These growing threats demonstrate the need for Scotland to become an independent country - so we can protect our parliament, our democratic interests, and our place in Europe.

"Yet again, Douglas Ross and the six spineless Scottish Tory MPs have voted to sell Scotland out by backing this power grab bill, which hands Westminster the power to overrule the Scottish Parliament in devolved areas and puts Scotland's NHS at risk of creeping Tory privatisation."

READ MORE: Brexit: Douglas Ross denies Internal Market Bill is a Tory power grab

Oswald went on: "This bill is a danger to Scotland's NHS and public services, a danger to Scottish food and environmental standards, a danger to Scottish democracy - and it leaves Scotland open to a dangerous race to the bottom under an extreme Tory Brexit.

"By breaking the devolution settlement and international law, the Tories have shown they cannot be trusted. It is clearer than ever that the only way to properly protect Scotland’s interests is to take our place as an independent country.”