Scotland's Finance Secretary has been accused of putting jobs at risk after spending £10million from a Brexit fighting fund on other things.
Last year, the Scottish Government received £37.3million from the UK Government’s £1.5billion Brexit preparation fund.
But Derek Mackay admitted he spent £10million of the money on other priorities.
He said: “From this £37million, £27million was allocated to specific Brexit-related activity in the Scottish Government and its agencies, with the remaining £10million being spent by portfolios as part of the 2018-19 Scottish Budget.”
The revelations come amid renewed concern about the impact of a no-deal Brexit on Scotland’s economy and workforce.
Both Tory leadership candidates have claimed they will take the UK out of the EU without a deal if they cannot get agreement by October 31.
The Scottish Government has received a further £54.7million in the current financial year for Brexit planning. Mackay would not give details on how the money has been is being spent.
Scottish Labour MSP Jackie Baillie said: “The SNP’s decision to blow £10million of no-deal Brexit funding has left Scottish businesses and the jobs they support at risk.
“A no-deal Brexit will never be a credible option but neither is blowing preparation funding which could shield Scots businesses from the worst excesses of a new Tory prime minister.”
A spokesman for Mackay said: “Over the last few weeks, Labour have accused the SNP Government of overspending our budget, then they criticised us for underspending it. And now they’re criticising us for not underspending enough.
“The only consistency in Labour’s position is that they don’t have any idea how public finances work.
“If Labour really want to prevent the potentially catastrophic consequences of a no-deal Brexit, then instead of manufacturing silly grievances such as this, they would joining us in opposing Brexit being imposed on Scotland against our wishes.”
