Ms Constance said: “We, along with the Northern Ireland Executive, urged the UK government to introduce UK-wide legislation as the best way to ensure there is a quick, fair and equal solution for all affected sub-postmasters, particularly as the Post Office is reserved to Westminster, so this announcement is extremely disappointing.

“It is not too late for the UK government to change their position but if this continues to be refused, we will introduce Scottish legislation that delivers justice for all those affected.

“It is likely that this would need to be passed after a UK bill is passed to ensure full compatibility with UK legislation and the UK compensation scheme, in which the Scottish government has no locus, but we will do everything in our power to work as quickly as possible.”

Stuart Munro, partner at Livingstone Brown, told SLN: “This latest development sees Scottish victims of the Post Office scandal once again left at the end of the queue.

“The Scottish government should be acting now, by ordering an immediate review of all Horizon cases and urgently ensuring the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission and the courts have the capacity and resources to fast-track appeals.

“Those who were wrongly convicted have the right to have their names cleared publicly. It’s becoming increasingly apparent the UK Government scheme won’t achieve that.”