CHANNEL 4 has offered to host a live TV debate on Scottish independence between Boris Johnson and Nicola Sturgeon.

It comes after the First Minister hit out at the new Prime Minister’s lack of guts during his first official visit north of the Border.

Ms Sturgeon also revealed she had challenged Mr Johnson to a TV debate after the two had a “very robust” discussion behind closed doors. He did not take up the offer.

Channel 4 told The National it would “be interested in hosting a debate between Nicola Sturgeon and Boris Johnson”.

However, a Downing Street spokesman rejected the idea and told the paper: “I think you’ll find there are extensive words on independence from the Prime Minister.”

Speaking to reporters on Monday after her meeting with Mr Johnson in Bute House, Ms Sturgeon said there had been a "very lively exchange of views" on independence.

She added: “At one point I suggested to him we didn’t have that debate in Bute House – [that] we took that debate out to the public and let the public decide.

"I even suggested we might debate it live on television – at which point his adviser said it was probably time that he left."

Ms Sturgeon also took aim at Mr Johnson for failing to meet ordinary voters during his trip north.

She said: “I’m slightly surprised that he didn’t have the chutzpah or the guts to actually go and meet people in Scotland."