PUT HER BIG-GIRL PANTS ON

cross-party alternative to the Tory plan was becoming urgent.

She said: “Continued, permanent single market and customs union membership for the whole of the UK is such an alternative.

“The case for that is not only becoming more urgent, it is also becoming more realistic with every day that passes, given the clear parliamentary opposition to the PM’s proposal and to a no-deal outcome – and I will be making the strongest possible case for cross-party support for that option.”

Yesterday, the SNP’s Michael Russell declared that Theresa May’s Brexit deal has created an “emergency” situation that must be stopped.

The SNP Brexit Minister said the first priority for MPs was to stop Theresa May’s Brexit deal in its tracks when it comes before the Commons next month.

Russell said the choice before MPs was not Theresa May’s deal or a no-deal Brexit. He said: “It is not this deal or nothing – that is nonsense.

“There is a different approach to this. Parties should work together on this because this deal would be immensely damaging to Scotland.”

Russell accused UK ministers of being in denial about Brexit but signalled a rush to an independence referendum was not his first option.

He said: “The first thing I want to do is stop this deal happening. It is an emergency for all the nations in this island to stop this deal. It is a disaster and this is the first priority”

After a fractious Whitehall meeting, Mundell accused Russell of pushing for a no-deal Brexit.

The Scottish Secretary said: “I can only conclude that for Nicola Sturgeon the chaos of a no-deal Brexit is the best way to serve her independence agenda.”

He added: “Sadly they really do want no deal because all they want is to put forward the independence agenda.

“They would back a no-deal Brexit with all the harm that would do to Scotland.

“If there is a majority in the House of Commons against this deal we risk a no-deal Brexit and a disastrous outcome for Scotland.”