RUTH Davidson was met with shouts of “shame, shame, shame” from MSPs as she refused to criticise the tax credit rape clause.

Nicola Sturgeon challenged the Conservative leader to state her opposition to the policy during an exchange at First Minister’s Questions.

Ms Sturgeon challenged Ms Davidson. She said: “Tell Scotland straight, do you support the rape clause in principle or do you, like me, think it is utterly abhorrent?"

Ms Sturgeon was applauded by SNP and Labour many Labour MSPs, including leader Kezia Dugdale.

Ms Davidson refused to answer the question instead she said: “"If the First Minister doesn't like the two-child tax policy, she can change it."

She was met with shouts of “shame, shame shame” by SNP back bench MSPs.

Ms Sturgeon then went on the attack.

She said “shame on Ruth Davidson, shame on the Conservatives.”

Ms Sturgeon added: "We have just seen in this chamber the true colours of Ruth Davidson and the Conservatives.

"Given the opportunity to stand up clearly and join others in this chamber and say the rape clause - a clause that forces a woman to prove she has been raped before claiming benefits for her child - is morally and in principle wrong, Ruth Davidson refuses to do so.

"That is utterly shameful."