A flagship BBC Scottish news show would "chip away at a great British institution" and boost the SNP's independence efforts, a Tory MP has claimed.

Alberto Costa was mocked by SNP MPs after also claiming a so-called "Scottish Six" would deny Scots a chance to see the "good work" of the Conservative Government elsewhere in the UK.

He argued against the SNP's desire for changes to the news output north of the border, which calls for the next BBC charter to offer "maximum devolution of broadcasting" - including Scotland's own six o'clock news bulletin.

READ MORE: SNP demand new flagship BBC news programme for Scotland

Former BBC Breakfast presenter John Nicolson, the SNP's culture spokesman, insisted the corporation is "not delivering for Scotland" with audiences and BBC staff wanting greater control over programming.

The SNP has tabled an amendment to the new draft agreement for the next BBC charter in support of its proposals.

But Mr Costa (South Leicestershire) claimed the SNP's amendment was the latest "tool" adopted by a party "hell-bent on destroying the sovereign United Kingdom".

READ MORE: SNP demand new flagship BBC news programme for Scotland

He said he would speak to fellow Tory MPs who backed the "Scottish Six" concept, adding they may have "unwittingly fallen foul of the SNP's propaganda to pretend this will somehow further devolution".

Speaking during a debate on the draft agreement for the next BBC charter, Mr Costa said: "All (the amendment) wants to do is drive a wedge between Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom."

Mr Costa cited a YouGov poll which suggested 63% of Scots want the BBC's news output to continue as it is, including a UK national evening broadcast followed by a Scottish programme.

Mr Nicolson questioned why Tory MPs had backed the idea of a Scottish Six.

READ MORE: SNP demand new flagship BBC news programme for Scotland

Mr Costa replied: "The honourable members on this side of the House who may be supporting the Scottish Six have never fought the SNP, and I'll be speaking to those honourable members to explain very clearly what the SNP's policy on these matters is, because they'll do anything to bring about the end of the United Kingdom - and this is what this amendment is all about.

"It's just another example of chip chipping away at a great British institution."

Mr Costa went on: "I believe that the Scots want to know exactly what's going on across the United Kingdom.

"And given that England is the larger partner of the United Kingdom, simply by sheer numbers, it's imperative Scots are able to see the good work the Conservative Government is doing in other parts of the United Kingdom."

READ MORE: SNP demand new flagship BBC news programme for Scotland

This remark prompted laughter among the SNP MPs.

SNP MP Deidre Brock (Edinburgh North and Leith) told Mr Costa local, national and international news would be included within a Scottish Six, adding he was wrong to fear it would not include news from elsewhere in the UK.

Moving the proposal, Mr Nicolson said: "I believe in the concept of a separate Scottish Six, but at that point politicians should stand back and allow the BBC to decide the form of that programme and the content of the programme."

He added: "For a significant period of time it's been clear the BBC is not delivering for Scotland in the way it should be.

"There lies a problem, I think, at the heart of BBC Scotland. Without a fairer share of the licence fee, without greater control over its own budget, without the authority to make commissioning decisions, BBC Scotland too often relies on the decisions of executives in London.

"Meaningful editorial and financial control must be transferred north of the border."

READ MORE: SNP demand new flagship BBC news programme for Scotland

He said audience satisfaction surveys showed Scottish viewers did not think BBC programming represented their views, both in current affairs or drama.

Mr Nicolson added: "You don't have to take my word for it - that's what the BBC says itself, and it fully acknowledges that this is a problem."

Ian Murray, Labour's former Scottish secretary, suggested the amendment was "pushing the Government to make a decision about the Scottish Six, rather than leaving it in the hands of the editorial commissioning of the BBC".

Culture minister Matt Hancock said attempts by the SNP to introduce a Scottish 6pm news show undermine the BBC's editorial independence.

He said: "On the specific question in the amendment of the Scottish six o'clock news, which has drawn so much speculation, it is vital that the BBC is editorially independent so that politicians cannot interfere with editorial matters.

"And a vote for the amendment tonight is a vote for political control of the BBC.

"The SNP may want political control of the BBC, but we say no."

The SNP's amendment was defeated by 270 votes to 53, majority 217.