John Whittingdale rounded on Stephen Gethins after he said the Government’s Brexit strategy put Scotland’s “supposed relationship of equals” in jeopardy.
The former Culture Secretary fired back and said it was clear the Scottish Government was “not an equal” of the UK Government.
It comes after Mr Gethins said voters had not chosen to leave the single market when they backed Brexit and criticised the Government for not wanting to “compromise” with Scotland.
Speaking on BBC Two’s Daily Politics, he said: “We are pro-European and we put forward a compromise to remain part of the single market – not part of the European Union – that was flatly rejected and that was really disappointing.
BBC TWO/DAILY POLITICS
John Whittingdale said EU matters were not devolved to the Scottish Government
At the end of the day the Scottish Government is not an equal of the Westminster Government
John Whittingdale
“[To know] that the UK Government is not prepared to meet the Scottish Government and the other devolved administrations half way on this.”
The North East Fife MP said Nicola Sturgeon was right to say an independence referendum was now “highly likely”.
“Let’s not forget that this is as a direct result of the UK Government refusing to compromise, refusing to give any ground,” he said.
“We did not vote to leave the single market, in fact, we were promised that Scotland would get powers over immigration by Vote Leave and we’re not getting that.
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“This puts Scotland and its supposed relationship of equals in a very difficult place.”
When asked if the Scottish MP had a point, Mr Whittingdale replied: “No.”
He insisted the Scotland would be “fully engaged” in the process, debating in Parliament and being represented in the Brexit Select Committee.
However, he added: “At the end of the day the Scottish Government is not an equal of the Westminster Government.
“Certain matters are devolved to the Scottish Government but one of those is not the matters concerning the European Union – this is a decision for the Westminster Parliament.”
Mr Gethins responded by saying fishing and farming were devolved issues and that “democracy does not begin and end at Westminster”.
BBC TWO/DAILY POLITICS
The SNP has indicated it could hold a second Scottish independence referendum
It has been made clear by the Supreme Court that Westminster does not need to consult with devolved Governments in Wales and Scotland before triggering Article 50.
In response, Ms Sturgeon said the Scottish Government was "obviously disappointed" with the verdict.
She added: "It is becoming clearer by the day that Scotland's voice is simply not being heard or listened to within the UK.
"The claims about Scotland being an equal partner are being exposed as nothing more than empty rhetoric and the very foundations of the devolution settlement that are supposed to protect our interests – such as the statutory embedding of the Sewel Convention – are being shown to be worthless.
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