The SNP has urged the Secretary of State for Scotland David Mundell to ensure that Scotland receives a comparable share of a budget increase being given to Northern Ireland ahead of crucial Brexit votes.

It has been revealed that the Tory government will give Northern Ireland an extra £140 million on top of their budget, which will not be subject to Barnett consequentials – which would have ensured that Scotland’s block grant was adjusted to reflect the boost.

The news has broken just days before the Prime Minister brings her Brexit deal back to the Commons after a humiliating historic defeat in January.

The Prime Minister was widely criticised in 2017 for a £1 billion ‘cash for votes’ deal agreed with the DUP to secure a confidence-and-supply agreement when she failed to command a majority of MPs in the Commons.

Commenting, SNP Economy spokesperson Kirsty Blackman MP said:

“The Tories are delivering another bung for the DUP, ripping up the rule book in the process.

“But if the rules are to be applied as they should be, then Scotland’s fair share would amount to an extra £400 million for public services here.

“This problem lies at the door of David Mundell, who has disgracefully failed to fight Scotland’s corner right the way through the Brexit process.

“Did he know about the extra cash promised to Northern Ireland beforehand and did he agree to it? And will he now ensure Scotland gets similar treatment?

“If not, then it is further proof – if it were needed – that he is utterly unfit to stand up for Scotland as he is supposed to do.

“This extra cash for Northern Ireland comes just before Theresa May brings her bad Brexit deal back to Parliament – where every MP’s vote will count.

“And it is crystal clear that the Tories are delivering a grubby Brexit bung to buy off DUP votes whilst Scotland's voice in the Brexit process is ignored.”