Fury over

Liberal Democrat MP Christine Jardine added her voice to criticism of Mr Russell, claiming the SNP was “in cahoots with the Tories to keep people in the dark”.

Ms Jardine said: “While their MPS publicly call for transparency at Westminster, their Holyrood government agrees to accept the information on condition they keep it quiet. Their position is inconsistent with their public rhetoric and that’s not on.”

The Brexit minister told MSPS he wanted the information to be made public, but stressed that was a matter for the UK government, not ministers in Holyrood. Britain failed to stand “shoulder to shoulder” with European allies reeling from a wave of terrorist attacks when it voted to leave the EU, Brussels’ chief Brexit negotiator has said.

Michel Barnier outraged UK officials with a speech warning that Britain will be cut out of decision-making on European defence as a result of Brexit.

Downing Street hit back, saying the UK had played a “leading role” in the struggle against the Islamic State terrorist group.