UK Ministers are facing calls to guarantee that Scotch whisky will have the same legal protection after Brexit as it gets under EU laws.

Scotland's economy secretary Keith Brown has written to the UK Government demanding that the current EU definition of whisky and rules on labelling be brought into UK law after Brexit.

Brown said: "It is vital that we continue to have robust legal protection of Scotch whisky."

Rosemary Gallagher, Scotch Whisky Association head of communications, added: “To support jobs and growth in the Scotch whisky industry after Brexit, we are looking for the government to prioritise a range of matters, including robust legal protection of Scotch whisky in the EU and global markets."

In response to Brown a UK Government spokeswoman said: “The UK Government has a strong relationship with the Scotch Whisky Association and is working closely with the industry as we aim to secure the best possible deal for the whole of the UK”.