CONSERVATIVE hardline Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg has argued Ruth Davidson should not be allowed to marry her female partner.

Interviewed yesterday, the high-profile backbencher praised the Scottish Tory leader as a “formidable person with great political skills”. He was then asked: “But you wouldn’t support her marriage to the woman she wants to marry?”

Rees-Mogg replied: “This is a sacramental issue. The sacrament of marriage is one that is defined by the church, not by the state, and the sacrament of marriage is available to a man and a woman. And this is the teaching of the Catholic Church which I accept.”

Pressed on the issue on BBC’s Daily Politics, Rees-Mogg was asked if he accepted his views might be a problem for many people and for some of his colleagues who want to marry same-sex partners.

He said he was not criticising any of his colleagues before getting into an argument with journalist Jo Coburn accusing her of “picking on the Catholic Church”. Coburn denied his claim and said she believed in “religious freedom”.

“I am a practising Catholic and I believe in the teachings of the Catholic Church,” the North Somerset MP told her.

Speculation has mounted a future Tory leadership election could see Rees-Mogg and Davidson, who campaigned for a Remain vote, go head to head. Davidson would probably need to find a Westminster seat to take part in such a contest and both politicians have pointed out there is no vacancy for the post.

Responding to Rees-Mogg’s comment, a Scottish Conservative spokesman said: “Ruth is a passionate believer and campaigner for same-sex marriage. While others may hold a different view, that won’t change Ruth’s commitment to equality.”

Davidson and Jen Wilson were engaged in 2016. The couple have yet to set a date. Last month, they announced Davidson was expecting a baby in the autumn.