A SCOTTISH Tory leadership hopeful has been accused of making a “sick joke” after claiming she would champion low earners if elected despite once calling for those on benefits to stop having children.

Ahead of the launch of her campaign to lead the party today, South Scotland MP Michelle Ballantyne set out her vision for the future of the Conservatives north of the border.

In her campaign video, Ms Ballantyne claimed that working people in Scotland need the Tories to win the 2021 Holyrood elections and that she was the leader to deliver that.