SNP's Blackford branded 'extremely rude' after refusing to sit down during debate

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford has been branded 'extremely rude' after refusing to sit down during a fiery Commons Brexit debate.

Blackford intervened on his colleague Pete Wishart to raise concerns on the government's approach to devolution on Brexit matters.

But his speech was far longer than MPs expected, prompting the deputy speaker to interrupt.

Dame Rosie Winterton said: "It's quite a long intervention."

She calledWishart to resume his speech, but Blackford continued speaking - prompting a furious response from the Tory benches while Dame Rosie urged him to stop.

Blackford thundered: "I will say to the Deputy Speaker, that Scotland's voice will be heard."

Dame Rosie replied: "That was extremely rude, extremely rude, extremely rude. The honourable gentleman must resume his seat."

Shouts of "sit down" could be heard from the Tory benches among other heckles.

Wishart said Blackford was right to be "absolutely furious" about Westminster's plans for Scotland.

He said of the Tory MPs: "They're all bawling and screaming, put the cameras round on them.

"We want Scotland to see you screaming at us, that builds support for us, keep on doing it."

Wishart said Scotland is "making up its mind" on its future, adding: "Scotland will become an independent nation in the next year.