Senior Tory politicians’ warning

Scots Conservative leader Ruth Davidson and Scottish Secretary David Mundell have warned they could quit their roles if there is a Brexit compromise that threatens to “undermine the integrity” of the UK, according to reports.

The senior Conservative politicians outlined their concerns over the question of the Irish border in a letter to Prime Minister Theresa May last week.

The Sunday Times said the two made it clear they would resign if Northern Ireland faces new controls that separate it from the rest of the UK – because that could fuel the case for Scottish independence.

The newspaper quoted a senior Conservative who said they would consider any differentiated deal that puts a hard border down the Irish Sea to be “a resigning matter”.

Both have insisted that, more than four years on from the referendum on Scottish independence, keeping the United Kingdom together is their top priority.

The letter states: “Having fought just four years ago to keep our country together, the integrity of our United Kingdom remains the single most important issue for us in these negotiations.

“Any deal that delivers a differentiated settlement for Northern Ireland beyond the differences that already exist on an all Ireland basis (eg agriculture), or can be brought under the provisions of the Belfast Agreement, would undermine the integrity of our UK internal market and this United Kingdom.”