Alister Jack attacks Scottish Government in Union Connectivity Review row

Sir Peter Hendy, the current chairman of Network Rail and former commissioner of Transport for London (TfL), was asked by Boris Johnson in March to examine transport infrastructure across the UK and consider where future spending could be targeted.

The final recommendations were due to be published in the summer but the results are yet to be released, with Tory ministers accused of “burying” the report.

Jack told the Conservative Party conference in Manchester: “It’s an incredibly important document to be published shortly.

“I’d say on a personal note I’m very dismayed the Scottish Government has not engaged in the Union Connectivity Review.

“The Transport Secretary, Michael Matheson, told his civil servants not to give Hendy any data or to engage with him whatsoever, which to me is irresponsible nationalism.

“It’s putting their desire for separation, and not to be part of the United Kingdom, ahead of people’s livelihoods, ahead of jobs.”

The Scottish Secretary claimed this was part of a “pattern” of behaviour from the Scottish Government, claiming SNP ministers did not engage with Westminster over other matters including the UK Internal Market Act.

Boris Johnson had backed plans for the 'world's most stupid bridge'

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This legislation set out how trade within the UK operates post-Brexit, but critics warned the Act represented a power grab by Westminster at the expense of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Government later made changes following several defeats in the House of Lords but the SNP continued to warn it would “demolish devolution”.

The Scottish Government has previously argued transport is devolved to Holyrood and asked the Conservatives to respect this rather than engage in a “power grab”.

Holyrood ministers have repeatedly denied claims that they failed to engage in the transport review, instead accusing Downing Street of leaving them in the dark.

A spokesperson for Net Zero, Energy and Transport Secretary Michael Matheson told The National: “We’ll take no lectures on cooperation from a UK Government which recently ignored 19 separate requests for a ministerial meeting with the Scottish Government on a single issue. 

“We will engage with the UK Government in Scotland’s best interests but we will not be complicit in Tory attempts at a power grab on the Scottish Parliament, or their bid to encourage a race to the bottom on workers’ rights and environmental standards.” 

The Union Connectivity Review was expected to examine plans for a crossing between Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Championed by the Prime Minister, the plan was dubbed the “world’s most stupid bridge” by his former adviser Dominic Cummings.

Last month Downing Street confirmed it had shelved the plans, leading to accusations from the SNP that the transport review had been “buried”.

MSP Emma Harper told The National: “It’s no surprise this report has been buried deeper than Boris Johnson’s non-starter of a tunnel or bridge or whatever ludicrous nonsense he blurted out to deflect from his government’s infinite shortcomings.

“The SNP will always welcome proposals on how we can strengthen relations with Northern Ireland and Ireland, but we will focus on viable ideas which support and protect Scottish jobs and businesses to secure a fair and strong economic recovery.

“Instead of wasting time and money on window dressing vanity projects like this so-called review, the Tories would do far more good if they simply started listening to the people of Scotland rather than arrogantly telling us what is good for us.”