Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson has said Britain should avoid a "divisive Brexit" and work to heal the referendum rifts.

She called on both sides of the Brexit divide to treat each other with respect and stop accusations of "racism".

Speaking to business leaders at the Institute of Directors in London, Ms Davidson told Ukip politicians to "grow up" and warned they risked Britain's ability to get a good deal in negotiations to leave the European Union (EU).

She said: "Our decision to leave the European Union hasn't determined which path we'll take.

"That's a decision we'll make as a nation and one indicator is how we carry ourselves as we proceed in the months ahead.

"To ensure we choose the path of openness and engagement, above all, I believe we must do all we can to avoid an unnecessarily divisive Brexit.

"That starts with coming back together and healing the divisions here at home that the referendum campaign has caused."

She added: "I'd like to make a plea. Remainers need to accept that Leavers are not racist for having concerns about the EU and our system of immigration.

"And - for Leavers - it's time to follow the lead of people like Dan Hannan, who point out that the views of the 48% of people across the UK who backed Remain must be heard.

"Our UK Government is going to have to sit down very soon with 27 other EU member states and find a way forward.

"If we simply assume that economic rationalism will win every discussion - and we can just forget about the emotional side of this decision - then I fear we will be hampering our own negotiating position.

"We are not going to get a good deal if the image we project to Europe is that of Nigel Farage needling Europeans by telling them their economies depend on hungry British consumers."

She added: "So, I say to those Ukip politicians: when they chuckle and bray about the result in June and how they've taught Europe a lesson - grow up."

Ms Davidson was delivering that annual Rhondda lecture, given last year by former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

A spokesman for Scotland's Brexit Minister Michael Russell said: "Ruth Davidson's call for a more respectful EU debate is welcome but highly hypocritical.

"It is the Tories who are turning their backs on our European partners, who are refusing to guarantee that EU citizens can remain in the UK, who stood back as judges were attacked, and who are completely disrespecting the vote of the people of Scotland.

"If Ms Davidson was serious about maintaining good relations with the EU, she would be demanding that the UK Government seek to remain in the single market - as she was doing just a few months ago - instead of enthusiastically signing up to the hard-right Tory Brexit which her colleagues in Westminster are now pursuing."

Tory former attorney general Dominic Grieve, commenting on behalf of the pro-single market Open Britain campaign, said: "Ruth Davidson's comments hit the nail on the head, and the Government's approach to Brexit should be guided by the spirit of moderation and inclusivity of which she has spoken.

"In leaving the EU, the Government must seek to accommodate the views of the 48%, not just the 52%, and focus on bringing our country together after the divisive experience of the referendum.

"That means the Government must strive to protect our economic wellbeing by keeping Britain in the single market, as well as seeking to address voters' concerns about immigration."