The UK moved a step closer to the EU exit door last night – but just one Scottish MP backed the prime minister.
Scottish Secretary David Mundell was the solitary figure who voted for legislation that will allow Theresa May to trigger official Brexit talks.
The rest – bar two who were away – tried to stop the Article 50 bill clearing its first hurdle in the Commons.
In spite of this opposition, it received a second reading after an SNP attempt to kill it off was emphatically defeated.
A number of English Labour and Welsh MPs also rebelled against their party’s official position, which was to support the government.
Known Europhile and former chancellor Ken Clarke was the sole Tory to defy Mrs May, whom he likened to Alice in Wonderland earlier this week.
Speaking after the vote, SNP Europe spokesman Stephen Gethins branded it a “devastating decision” that would “go down in infamy”.
He added: “Over 98% of Scotland’s MPs opposed triggering Article 50, but once again Scotland’s best interests have been put to one side.”
Scotland overwhelmingly supported the UK remaining in the EU at last year’s referendum – by 62% to 38%.
During a second day of debate, former shadow Scottish secretary Ian Murray said it was with a “heavy heart” that he voted against triggering Article 50.
But he insisted he did so “in the knowledge that I can walk down the streets of Edinburgh South and look at my constituents in the eye, and say to them I’ve done everything I possibly can to protect their jobs, livelihoods and the future for their family”.
He also said he would seek to ensure the European Union (Notification Of Withdrawal) Bill is amended as part of the efforts to hold Mrs May’s government to account.
Former first minister Alex Salmond suggested members had been gripped by “mad MP disease”.
Picking up on Mr Clarke’s comparison, the Gordon MP added: “Alice only took herself into the hole.
“This prime minister is taking virtually all of the Tory Party, half the Labour Party and the entire country into the hole.”
Aberdeen North MP Kirsty Blackman said the vote would consign the UK to a “red, white and blue” Brexit.
She added: “Anyone who thinks they can, by reasonable argument, influence this Tory Government to do reasonable things is deluded.”
But former chancellor George Osborne warned blocking Brexit risked “putting parliament against people” and provoking a “deep constitutional crisis” in the UK.
Fellow Conservative Alistair Burt, who backed Remain, said his support for the bill did not mean he was giving up fighting.
He added: “I want to see the very best for my constituents out of the new arrangements.”
Closing the debate, Brexit Minister David Jones argued his government was committed to securing the best deal for the whole of the UK.
He added: “We understand there are unique and diverse interests across the UK.”
And he insisted engagement with the devolved administrations would continue through the joint ministerial committee.
Ministers were forced to draw up the bill after the Supreme Court ruled that Westminster’s approval is needed before the formal two-year negotiation period can begin.
Mrs May announced yesterday that the white paper setting out her government’s Brexit strategy would be published today.
The SNP’s reasoned amendment, which would have halted the bill’s progress, was defeated by 336 votes to 100. The bill received its second reading by 498 votes to 114.
Two SNP MPs – Callum McCaig and Corri Wilson – were absent due to “illness or personal reasons”, the party said.
MPs will have the opportunity to table amendments to the bill when it is considered again next week.
The government insisted its end-of-March timetable for triggering Article 50 still stands, but the bill is expected to be fiercely contested in the House of Lords.
