Gordon Wilson helping out SNP colleagues just before his death

Former SNP leader Gordon Wilson was advising senior party figures shortly before his death, it has emerged.

Ian Blackford, the SNP’s Westminster leader, said the former Dundee MP was the last person he spoke to before heading into the Commons chamber to deliver his party’s response to the Queen’s Speech on Wednesday last week.

Mr Wilson, who led the party for more than a decade, passed away in Dundee in the early hours of Sunday.

“I phoned him for last pieces of advice,” Mr Blackford said.

“If it wasn’t for the people who went before we wouldn’t be here today as a party of government and the strong voice we are at Westminster.

“I recognise the responsibility I have got, not just to the MPs but to the party.”

Mr Blackford also warned Theresa May not to go down the “very dangerous road” of ignoring the Scottish Government’s call for a seat at the Brexit negotiating table.

The Highland MP claimed the £1 billion deal with the DUP – which will not result in any additional money for Scotland – undermined the union, by pitting one part against the others.

Brexit Secretary David Davis has confirmed the Repeal Bill, to convert EU law onto the UK statute books, will require Holyrood approval, known as a legislative consent motion.

Asked how far he and his colleagues would be willing to go to stand in the way of the bill, Mr Blackford replied: “We are not threatening anybody.

“We will defend our interests if we need to do so, but we are trying to make sure that we get to a situation where we can work together for mutual benefit.”