BORIS Johnson has given the clearest indication yet that he will trample over the devolved parliaments to impose his Internal Market Bill.

MPs have backed the legislation which will see the UK Government gain control of devolved powers once they are returned from Brussels.

Holyrood ministers have already vowed to oppose the bill, with Parliament likely to back that stance when the issue comes before MSPs for a vote. Michael Russell said on Tuesday that “the UK Government has to decide if it’s going to act in a dictatorial fashion and simply ignore the Scottish Parliament”. He also warned the dispute could end up in court.

Johnson, pressed on the issue by Ian Blackford, declined the opportunity to say that he wouldn’t override the devolved administrations if they refused consent.

Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions in the Commons, the SNP Westminster leader said: “Last night Scotland’s MPs voted overwhelmingly against the Tory power grab bill but the Prime Minister forced it through anyway, in the biggest attack on our Scottish Parliament in the history of devolution.”

He also referenced a new social attitudes survey which revealed that just 15% of people trust the UK Government to work in Scotland’s interests.

“Why does he think the people of Scotland have no trust in him or his Government?” Blackford asked.

Johnson insisted the SNP MP was “completely wrong” about the Internal Market Bill, claiming it hands power “back down” to Scotland.

He said: “After all, this bill devolves – which is I believe is supported by the leader of the opposition – power back down to, back to, Scotland, gives power back to Scotland. Enables Scotland not just to take back control of Scotland’s spectacular fisheries but also opens markets for Scottish agriculture around the world.”

Blackford chastised the Prime Minister for failing to answer his question and gave his own thoughts on why the Tory Government is so unpopular in Scotland.

“Here we go again – yapping, bumbling, mumbling – but no answer,” Blackford said. “Since he can’t answer a straight question, I will tell the Prime Minister.”

At this point the Speaker intervened to quieten down furious Tory MPs, insisting that the SNP Westminster leader be heard.

Blackford responded: “We’re very used to the Scottish voice being shouted down in this place.”

He continued: “A Tory Government that casually and arrogantly breaks international law, and breaks devolution, has shattered any remaining trust in this broken Westminster system.”

He described the vote on the Internal Market Bill as a “defining moment” and asked if the Prime Minister will withdraw the legislation if it fails to get the consent of the devolved parliaments.

“Or will he force it through against our wishes?” Blackford asked, adding: “Isn’t the Prime Minister demonstrating yet again that the only way to defend our parliament and its powers is by Scotland becoming an independent country?”

Johnson dismissed the question about enforcing his government’s legislation on Holyrood, which he again insisted would gain extra powers.

The PM replied: “[Blackford] demonstrates once again that his ambition is simply to ferment grievance where no grievance should exist. All this bill does actually is devolve power back from Brussels to Edinburgh, it gives powers back to Edinburgh which he should welcome. But, more importantly than the powers, the people of this country aren’t really interested in wrangling between...

“What this bill does is it protects jobs, it protects growth, it protects trade in the UK, and that is the most important thing and that’s why he should support it.”