POLITICAL leaders put their differences aside to back Andy Murray, with his Australian Open semi-final proving a distraction ahead of First Minister's Questions.

Nicola Sturgeon joked "I'm sure we could come to some arrangement" after Tory leader Ruth Davidson wrote on Twitter that she was in a dilemma over whether to watch the tennis or prepare for her weekly clash with the SNP leader.

After Ms Sturgeon's office was suggested as a possible venue, Labour deputy leader Kezia Dugdale, who fronts FMQs for her party, also got in on the act, writing: "Yes, there in a minute, looking for the Pimms".

The leaders did not manage to see Murray clinch his victory, with his match finishing with the weekly political showpiece in full flow.

After Ms Davidson revealed to the chamber that Murray had "just won" his semi-final, she apparently landed her deputy Jackson Carlaw in hot water.

"I hope Ruth Davidson wasn't looking at Twitter in the chamber," the First Minister responded, before Carlaw was outed as the real culprit.

"I think Jackson Carlaw might be in trouble," the FM said, as Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick looked on.

Rare applause then echoed from all sides of the chamber, as the First Minister said: "Can I take the opportunity to congratulate Andy Murray on his semi-final win and I'm sure on behalf of everybody in this chamber, we can have an outbreak of consensus and wish him all the best for the final on Sunday."