A North Ayrshire councillor has said Brexit would be “excellent” for Scotland.

Councillor Tom Marshall who backed Boris Johnson’s bid to be Prime Minister, said he would be happy with a no-deal Brexit. 

Councillor Marshall added his name to a list of more than 1,000 Conservative local politicians supporting the new PM during the leadership race.

He is the only North Ayrshire Conservative named on the party’s list of UK-wide councillors who signed up to the Back Boris campaign. But the North Coast and Cumbraes member said most of his fellow party councillors are also behind Johnson. 

Councillor Marshall said: “The majority of the Conservative group on North Ayrshire Councilsupported Boris.”

 “We believe there is a clear majority for Brexit. We have spent three years discussing Brexit. It is not getting anywhere at all. 

“We are quite happy that Boris takes it forward and endeavours to get a deal for Brexit. Failing that we would be happy with a no-deal Brexit.”

Supporting UK plans to leave the EU, Councillor Marshall pointed out the prospect of a trade deal with the US. 

He said: “I think Brexit will be excellent for Scotland. The US president is willing to do a trade deal. 

“We voted as the UK to join the European Union and we voted as the UK to leave. I think it will be fine.”

North Ayrshire Council has rated Brexit as a high risk.

A council boss fears a no-deal Brexit could cause more reliance on foodbanks in the area.

The council’s head of democratic services Andrew Fraser outlined the potential risks of the UK leaving Europe at a council’s audit and scrutiny committee earlier this year.

Mr Fraser said there could be “a greater demand on foodbanks and less employment.”

He warned about possible disruption in supplies and a surge in the cost of goods.