POLITICS

David Mundell came under fresh pressure last night after Theresa May refused to say whether she received representations from him on the £1billion DUP deal.

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford asked the question twice yesterday during prime minister’s questions.

The Tory leader pointed to the £800million extra Scotland received in the autumn statement and the additional £350million in the Budget.

She added: “I do not remember, when that money for Scotland was announced, you complaining that more money should be going to Northern Ireland – but then of course, you are a nationalist and not a unionist.”

Pressed a second time, Mrs May replied: “I can assure you I regularly receive representations from the secretary of state for Scotland about matters relating to Scotland, including regular representations pointing out that if the Scottish Nationalists actually had the interests of Scotland at heart, they would want to remain part of the UK.”

But she did not make clear whether any specific submissions were made relating to the DUP deal.

Mr Blackford said she had “only succeeded in piling more pressure on the Scottish secretary, whose position now looks less secure with every day that passes”.

The exchange came after it emerged the money agreed by the UK Government as part of the confidence and supply arrangement will not result in additional funding for Scotland.

In the run-up to the announcement, Mr Mundell said he would not support “anything that could be construed as back-door funding” to Northern Ireland.

David Mundell, centre, faces pressure from Nationalists over the DUP deal