IAN Blackford has accused the Tories of raging against democracy, but he has insisted Scotland “will have the choice to become an independent country”.

The SNP’s Westminster leader was speaking as the party’s 47 MPs gathered in Westminster for the first time since the general election.

Blackford said their win at the vote was a “watershed moment.”

He added: “We stood on a clear and unequivocal platform of rejecting Brexit and giving the people of Scotland a choice over their future – ensuring Scotland’s future is in Scotland’s hands.

“Having won 80% of the seats in Scotland, that mandate to hold a referendum on Scotland’s future is indisputable and must be respected by all democrats.

“The Tories stood on a single pledge of blocking an independence referendum and they suffered a thumping defeat - losing more than half of their seats and falling 20-points behind in the vote.

“I am hugely grateful to the people of Scotland who have put their trust in the SNP.

“We will work every day to repay that trust and stand up for the whole of Scotland.”

Blackford said Labour’s spiral into “internal divisions and acrimony” left his party as the “real and effective opposition” to Boris Johnson’s government.

He added: “The Tories can rage against democracy, but have no doubt Scotland will have the choice to become an independent country and protect our place at the heart of Europe - so we can get on with building a better future as a fairer, greener, prosperous and equal country.”

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The gathering came as Downing Street confirmed that MPs would likely have their first vote on Johnson’s Brexit plan on Friday.

If new Speaker Lindsay Hoyle allows it the withdrawal agreement bill (WAB), which sets out the legal framework for the Prime Minister’s deal, will have its first and second reading on the same day.

Johnson’s spokesman said: “We plan to start the process before Christmas and will do so in the proper, constitutional way, in discussion with the Speaker.”

There was little detail on what the WAB might involve.

The spokesman said: “We will present a bill which will ensure we get Brexit done before the end of January.

“It will reflect the agreement made with the EU on our withdrawal,” he said.

“The PM made clear during the general election campaign that he would be aiming for a Canada-style free trade agreement with no political alignment.

“I’m not going to discuss the precise nature of the negotiations on the free trade agreement. The Prime Minister has just won a very clear mandate to deliver Brexit.

“We’re focused on getting the withdrawal agreement bill through the House of Commons and leaving the EU on 31 January.”

Today and tomorrow will be taken up with the swearing in of new MPs, with Thursday set aside for the Queen’s speech.

Yesterday, Downing Street also announced that Johnson had signed off a controversial report examining Russian infiltration in British politics.

There was outrage during the election when the publication of the report by by parliament’s intelligence and security committee was delayed.

However, it will now not be published until a new committee is in place to formally approve this.

Johnson’s spokesman said: “In line with his responsibilities under the Justice and Security Act 2013, the prime minister carefully considered the report of the former committee.

“He is content publication would not prejudice the functions of those bodies that safeguard national security.”