Nicola Sturgeon has branded Boris Johnson "a hypocrite" after he praised Theresa May's exit speech. 

Taking to social media, Boris Johnson wrote: "A very dignified statement from Theresa May. Thank you for your stoical service to our country and the Conservative Party. It is now time to follow her urgings: to come together and deliver Brexit."

Johnson had long been an opponent to Theresa May over her handling of Brexit, with the Tory MP now favourite to become the next Prime Minister. 

READ MORE: Ruth Davidson pays tribute to Theresa May and her "resolute commitment to the union"

Commenting on the resignation of the Prime Minister, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “I wish Theresa May well for her future. While we had many political disagreements - not least over her handling of Brexit and her disregard for Scotland and the Scottish Government - leadership is not easy, and Theresa May should be thanked for her service.

“Regardless of our differences of opinion I hope, as I said after our first meeting, that seeing a female First Minister welcoming a female Prime Minister to Scotland showed little girls everywhere that nothing is off limits to them.

“Of course, the Prime Minister’s departure does not solve the problems that caused Brexit - and it will not resolve Brexit itself.  Putting another Tory leader in Downing Street without a general election is not the solution to this crisis. The only way to resolve Brexit is to put the issue back to the people.

READ MORE: Politics Live: Theresa May says she will quit as Tory leader on 7 June 

“For Scotland, the prospect of a hardline Brexiteer Tory becoming Prime Minister is not a happy one. The people of Scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU – and not only has that been completely ignored, but it is now clear that a devastating no-deal Brexit - which would cost jobs, businesses and livelihoods - is firmly back on the Tories’ agenda. That makes it all the more essential that Scotland has a choice of becoming an independent country.”