NICOLA STURGEON refused to back Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s new Brexit plan today as she ridiculed Tory infighting in a fiery exchange during First Minister’s Questions.

Addressing the First Minister, interim Scottish Conservative leader Jackson Carlaw said: “We are at the 11th hour.

“There is a need on all sides to compromise if we are going to reach a negotiated settlement, yet the record of this SNP government has been to fail to do so.

“The First Minister repeatedly says she will do anything possible to stop a no-deal, yet despite three opportunities so far this year, her MPs haven’t ever voted for a deal.”

In response, Ms Sturgeon accused Mr Carlaw of selling out the Scottish public to curry favour with the Prime Minister.

“My alternative to no deal is no Brexit,” she said. “That’s what the Scottish people voted for.

“All the efforts I made at compromise, to keep us in the single market and customs union, were spurned by Theresa May.

“Jackson Carlaw has brought the Scottish Tories into line with his Westminster bosses, but in doing so he has abandoned the interests of the Scottish people.”

The exchange came amid frustration among Tory backbenchers after Mr Carlaw appeared to reverse the party’s position on a no-deal Brexit earlier this week without consulting Conservative MSPs.

Referring to reports that the Scottish Tories are set to oust Mr Carlaw in order to speed up the election of a new leader, Ms Sturgeon said: “He’s gone from being an enthusiastic Remainer to a Boris Johnson-loving no-deal Brexiteer in what seems like a heartbeat.

“It’s no wonder his colleagues now want to get rid of him.”