THE SNP's Westminster leader Ian Blackford has criticised Boris Johnson's refusal to debate the First Minister, saying it shows he is "running scared" of her. 

Earlier today the Tory leader had ruled out debating Nicola Sturgeon or granting a Section 30 order to allow a second Scottish independence referendum to go ahead while he is PM. 

The news came after a High Court ruling which said ITV was in its legal rights to hold a debate between Johnson and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and exclude the SNP and LibDems

Blackford said: "Given that every intervention Boris Johnson has tried to make in Scotland has backfired spectacularly for him, it's no wonder that he is running scared of Nicola Sturgeon.

READ MORE: Johnson refuses to debate Nicola Sturgeon or agree to indyref2

"The Prime Minister's latest threat to ignore people in Scotland only serves to remind voters how supremely arrogant and out of touch he is and boosts the case for voting SNP.

"If Mr Johnson is so confident in his completely undemocratic position, why is he afraid to debate it publicly?"

Referring to Alister Jack's BBC Radio Scotland interview this morning in which he contradicted the PM's position on indyref2, Blackford went on: “Even Johnson’s Scottish Secretary immediately undermined his position by conceding that if the SNP get a majority in the 2021 Holyrood elections, that would be a mandate for a referendum. The reality is that the Tories’ opposition to an independence referendum simply isn’t sustainable and is crumbling.

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"The SNP is the main challenger in every Tory-held seat in Scotland, and at the crucial election on 12th December, Scotland can send the strongest message possible by voting SNP to boot the Tories out of government, escape Brexit and put Scotland's future in Scotland's hands not Boris Johnson's," he added.

Tonight the ITV debate between Corbyn and Johnson will go ahead tonight at 8pm. 

Later in the campaign there will be a seven-way debate on November 29 and another head-to-head clash on December 6.

A Question Time Leaders' Special will take place on November 22 while STV will host a debate with the Scottish party leaders on December 3.