SCOTTISH Tory leader Ruth Davidson has broken her silence and backed the controversial “rape clause” after being told to confront the Prime Minister over the shocking rule.

The move came just hours after Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale called on Davidson to challenge Theresa May over the controversial rule which requires rape victims to prove their third child was born as a result of non-consensual sex or while in a coercive relationship in order to claim tax credits.

The clause is one of several exemptions to welfare reforms limiting claims for child tax credit and Universal Credit to the first two children, which came into force last week.

Davidson buckled under pressure from Dugdale to break her silence and came out in support of the exemptions to the UK Government’s welfare reforms, including the so-called rape clause.

A spokesman for Davidson said the changes to child tax credits mean the same rules apply to people on benefits as to those who are working and current claimants would face no reduction.

He said senior Labour figures such as former deputy party leader Harriet Harman had “stated their qualified acceptance” of the two-child cap.

He added: “During consultation on these reforms, the UK Government put in place exemptions to protect women who are faced with very difficult circumstances so they can continue to receive child tax credit for all children in a household.

“We support these exemptions but there is clearly an obligation on the Government, working with third party agencies, to ensure that these cases are dealt with with all due care and attention.

“For example, the Department for Work and Pensions has made clear that women will be offered support from experienced third party professionals who will be able to confirm that exceptions should apply. We hope this will be of assistance but it is also clear that the situation should continue to be monitored to ensure any improvements can be made as we go forward.”

Dugdale insisted Davidson should be shamed by her own party’s “barbaric” and “disgusting” policy of forcing rape victims to fill out an eight-page form if they have a child conceived through a sexual assault in order to claim tax credits.

The policy came into force last week as part of welfare reforms limiting claims for child tax credit and Universal Credit to the first two children.

An exemption which requires rape victims to prove their third child was born as a result of non-consensual sex or while in a coercive relationship in order to claim tax credits has become known as the “rape clause”.

Dugdale called on Davidson to condemn the “horrifically cruel and uncaring policy”, and praised SNP MP Alison Thewliss for leading a powerful campaign against the Tory “rape clause”.

She said: “Alison Thewliss has led a powerful campaign against the heartless Tory Government on this crucial issue, and has secured cross-party support. I have nothing but praise for her tireless campaigning, and she has and will continue to receive the support of Labour MSPs and MPs in the hope of forcing the Tories into a U-turn.”

Thewliss is to speak at tomorrow’s Scrap the Rape Clause demonstration in George Square, Glasgow, being one of the most vocal opponents of the measure.

Sarah Masson, an activist and co-organiser of the protest, criticised the policy for being subject to “next to no scrutiny and certainly no debate” in Westminster.