The SNP has created a Brexit committee of its MPs to track the UK Government's negotiations to leave the EU.

Angus Robertson, the party's Westminster leader, will chair the committee.

The other members of the group are former First Minister Alex Salmond, Stephen Gethins, Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh and Hannah Bardell.

Gethins will act as the party's spokesman on Brexit in Westminster in a role which will see him shadow David Davis, the recently appointed minister for leaving the EU.

Robertson, the MP for Moray, said: "Our job is to protect Scotland's place in Europe.

"The SNP will work hard at Westminster to do just that and we will work together as a team in the House of Commons and with the Scottish Government.

"So far the UK Government has not thought through plans but Brexit will be hugely damaging.

"Scotland voted to remain in the European Union and the SNP will try to ensure that remain means remain and we protect our economy, jobs and the rights which Europe guarantees."

The formation of the SNP Coordination Group comes after Nicola Sturgeon appointed Mike Russell to a ministerial role in her government to lead talks with the UK Government over Brexit.