EAST Renfrewshire MSP Jackson Carlaw is under fire from the SNP after he confirmed the Scottish Tories do not support a further extension of Article 50.

Speaking this week, the party’s interim leader said that, whilst he is in favour of securing a Brexit deal, a delay would be more damaging than resolving the issue and moving on.

The UK is currently due to depart the European Union on October 31, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson having insisted the country will do so whether there is a deal in place or not.

“We should all be working to support the achievement of a deal,” Mr Carlaw said. “We know the Prime Minister’s going to be tabling fresh proposals this week.

“We need to work as hard as we can with our European partners to secure that deal but, if at the end of that process our European partners and we aren’t able to arrive at a fresh arrangement, then I think the time has come where we have to prepare to leave.

“Another extension, another three months, with nobody really agreeing on what they would do during that or what the outcome would be, is far more damaging for Scotland, for the United Kingdom and for business, for everybody, than finally getting to a point where we resolve this issue and move on.”

Asked whether he would be changing the position on Brexit set out by Ruth Davidson, who resigned as Scottish Tory party leader in August, Mr Carlaw said: “Well, Ruth had a very particular view.

“I think we did support the extension that took place in April but here we are again and we’re no further forward beyond the fact that the Prime Minister is going to table fresh proposals.”

“We saw some movement from (DUP leader) Arlene Foster as well, so I’m optimistic that the will exists both here and in Europe to arrive at that arrangement.

“But if we aren’t going to get to that point, we cannot go on forever and I think the other thing that’s been very important the last few months is the stepping up in the preparations because I accept there will be challenges, big challenges, if we have to leave with no-deal.

“We’ll have to face those if that’s the case but that’s why all those people who say they will do anything at all to stop no-deal should also be prepared to say that, to stop no-deal, they will back a deal and they will back the deal that our European partners hopefully agree with the Prime Minister.”

SNP MP Pete Wishart described Mr Carlaw’s stance as “shameful.”

“It’s no surprise that the Scottish Tories have fallen into line behind their Westminster bosses and are now card-carrying do-or-die Brexiteers,” he said.

“It is shameful that not a single Scottish Tory can bring themselves to stand up for Scotland against an extreme Brexit - even at this critical moment for our country.

“The so-called leadership of the Scottish Tories have steadily abandoned all of their principles to fully sign up to Boris Johnson’s no-deal Brexit, with all the disastrous consequences that would have for Scotland’s jobs, our economy and our public services.”

“No wonder the Tories are running scared of the verdict of the people of Scotland - whether that be in a general election or in the option of choosing a better future as an independent nation.”