Alister Jack leaves a cabinet meeting on Thursday. He has been accused by political rivals of hypocrisy after his company warned of Brexit risks

The new pro-Brexit Scottish secretary has been accused of “astonishing” hypocrisy as it emerged that one of his companies has warned of “various risk factors” associated with leaving the EU.

Alister Jack, who replaced David Mundell in Dover House this week, backed Theresa May’s withdrawal deal three times and supported a motion rejecting no-deal. This week he insisted that leaving the EU without a deal would not be “seriously damaging if we prepare for it properly”.

In November 2017, shortly after he was elected, he said that his vote for Brexit was “a practical decision”.

He said: “I believe that the United Kingdom will be better off, and less exposed to risk, by taking control of its own destiny and trading with partners around the