Nicola Sturgeon has been accused of indulging in “irresponsible nationalism” for failing to get involved with a review of transport links across the UK.
Tory Scottish Secretary Alister Jack complained that the SNP government of sacrificing economic development and jobs by not getting involved in the Union Connectivity review of infrastructure across the UK.
The UK government review is viewed by the Scottish government as an attempt by Boris Johnson to weaponise the road and rail network in attempt to drag funding power back to Westminster.
SNP Ministers have refused to allow Transport Scotland officials to engage with the review by Sir Peter Hendy, the current chairman of Network Rail and former commissioner of Transport for London.
Hendy will publish his Union Connectivity Review soon to look at where future spending could be targeted.
Alister 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 Sir Peter any data or to engage with him whatsoever, which to me is irresponsible nationalism.”
Jack claimed this was part of a “pattern” of behaviour from the Scottish Government, adding they did not engage with Westminster over other matters, including the UK Internal Market Act.
He added: “It’s putting their desire for separation, and not to be part of the United Kingdom, ahead of people’s livelihoods, ahead of jobs.”
This Internal Market Act set out how trade within the UK operates post-Brexit, but the SNP attacked it as a “power grab” of former EU powers by Westminster at the expense of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The Tory 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”.
To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here.
