BORIS Johnson has been accused of “economic vandalism” in his pursuit of Brexit.

Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, the SNP’s Westminster leader, Ian Blackford said Scotland was on course to be billions of pounds worse off.

He urged the Tory leader to “commit to releasing the detailed economic impact assessment of the cost to the UK of his extreme Tory Brexit plans”.

The question came as the president of the European Commission claimed there was a “path” to an agreement between the UK and the EU.

However, Ursula von der Leyen said the route was “very narrow” and she could not say for sure if there would be a deal.

Responding to Blackford’s request, Johnson said: “There is every opportunity – and hope I have – that our friends and partners across the channel will see sense and do a deal.

“All that takes is for them to understand that the UK has a natural right, like every other country, to want to be able to control its own laws and its own fishing grounds – I would have thought that would be important to [Blackford].

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“Whatever happens in the next few days, I know that this country will prosper mightily on the terms that we agree with our European friends, and whatever those terms may be – whether they are Australian or Canadian – he can go forward with a high heart and confidence into 2021, knowing that there are great opportunities for Scotland and the rest of the UK.”

The SNP chief pointed out that the Johnson hadn’t responded to his request for an economic impact assessment.

“I am not surprised, because the Prime Minister did not want to answer the question. He knows that the United Kingdom is poorer and worse off as a result of the extreme Tory Brexit, and the costs continue to soar.

“The Warwick study estimates that Scotland has already lost £4 billion as a result of Brexit, and Bloomberg Economics estimates that the UK will have lost £200 billion by the end of this year.

“Scottish Government analysis estimates that every person in Scotland will, on average, be worse off to the tune of £1600.”

Blackford said it was now “clear as day that the only way left to protect Scotland’s interests and our place in Europe is for Scotland to become an independent country”.

Johnson told the SNP to stop being so gloomy.

“There is a threat to the Scottish economy, sadly, and that is the high tax regime and mismanagement of the Scottish nationalist party. That is the problem that Scotland faces, and I hope that the people of Scotland can see it.”

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Earlier, the European Commission president said the coming days would be “decisive” – the transition period is due to end on Hogmanay.

Von der Leyen told MEPs that progress in the “level playing field” could mean the EU being allowed to act “autonomously” in retaliation if the UK flouts subsidy rules.

There has also been agreement that Johnson will not undercut existing common labour and environmental standards, she said.

But difficulties remain over what happens in the future if either side changes its rules.

Johnson has said no prime minister could accept a situation where Brussels could automatically impose punitive measures if it changes its regulations and the UK fails to follow suit.

She said that “as things stand I cannot tell you whether there will be a deal or not”.

Meanwhile, an old military airfield near Stranraer has been earmarked as an emergency lorry park, ready to cope with any major delays after the UK leaves the EU.

Transport Scotland has said it has an “agreement in principle” over the Castle Kennedy Airfield.