Scotland’s independence minister has defended Humza Yousaf’s call to “make Scotland Tory free” describing it as a “clear and straightforward” campaigning message.

But Douglas Ross criticised the slogan, saying it showed "open contempt for the almost 700,000 Scots" who voted for the Scottish Conservatives at the last election.

Over the weekend, the SNP’s longest-serving MP publicly distanced himself from the First Minister’s slogan.

Taking to X, the site formerly known as Twitter, Pete Wishart said he would not be using “this ‘Tory free’ rhetoric as part of my campaign.

However, he was accused of hypocrisy as he had used the phrase just over a week ago on his own social media.

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Meanwhile, the SNP’s claim that it was a “straight fight” between the SNP and the Tories was described as a “little confusing” by Liz Lloyd, Nicola Sturgeon’s former chief of staff.

Speaking to the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland, Jamie Hepburn was asked if the message was unravelling.

He said: “I don't think so. I think it is a very clear and straightforward message. We know people are fed up with the Conservatives in government and no wonder.

“Just recently, of course, the UK economy's gone into recession. We've seen that Joseph Rowntree Foundation talking about increased levels of destitution in the UK.

“We've just been talking about the ludicrous, ridiculous Rwanda bill that the UK Government are taking forward.

“Of course, we've had a Tory Brexit that we didn't vote for here in Scotland, it's time for them to go.

“And I think it's a very clear and straightforward message.

“We know that in most seats, the battle is a direct one between the SNP and the Tories.

“People want the Tories to go, we have the chance to get rid of Tory MPs in Scotland to make Scotland Tory free. And the way to do that is by voting SNP.”

He added: “I think if we look at the opinion polls people are already coming to the conclusion that the Tories’ time is up and if people want to get rid of the Tories, as seems to be the case from the opinion polls and that’s certainly that’s the sense I get on the doorsteps, then it is a very straightforward proposition.”

READ MORE: Humza Yousaf to tell SNP council 'make Scotland Tory free'

Mr Ross said the call for a Tory free Scotland demonstrated the SNP’s "open contempt for the almost 700,000 Scots who voted Scottish Conservative at the last election."

He added: “Humza Yousaf’s divisive rhetoric shows why we are asking pro-UK voters to vote together for the Scottish Conservatives. If we unite once more, we can beat the SNP and end their campaign to divide Scotland for good.

“The one thing Humza Yousaf is correct about is that in many seats up and down Scotland, the election will be a straight fight between the SNP and the Scottish Conservatives. He should suffer at the ballot box for pushing such divisive language.

“We are calling for voters in those constituencies who are sick and tired of Humza Yousaf spreading division to back the local Scottish Conservative candidate so we can defeat the SNP and get the focus back on Scotland’s real priorities, such as fixing our public services.”