DOUGLAS Ross has said an SNP-Green deal would lead to “anti-families” governance – with his comments branded a "dog-whistle" for homophobes.

The Scottish Tory leader wrote that the agreement would lead to a “coalition of chaos”, with a joint conference between the Greens co-leaders and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon due today.

The label of “anti-families” has often been used in the past in reference to legislation that improves rights for LGBT people, such as same-sex marriage.

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Ross tweeted: “Scotland will suffer from this nationalist coalition of chaos.

“The SNP-Green government will be anti-jobs, anti-business, anti-families, anti-drivers, anti-oil and gas.

“Nicola Sturgeon failed to win a majority, so she needs a hand to ramp up the division and push for indyref2.”

The SNP and Scottish Greens were both elected on a manifesto to hold indyref2 and have a majority in Holyrood.

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SNP MSP Karen Adam, who grew up in a same-sex home, was among many to call out the comment.

She said: “Anti-families? What on earth does that mean?

“Please break that down for everyone so we know exactly what you are meaning. Does it mean any family that doesn’t fit a narrative you feel fits your opinion? Are you saying I haven’t had a real family? My family isn’t a real one?”

Unionist commentator Duncan Hothershall weighed in too.

He wrote: “Watch in real time as @ScotTories descends into Section 28 era rhetoric two years after it was led by an out gay woman. ‘Anti-families’ is as loud and shameful a dog whistle to homophobes and transphobes as any we have seen in mainstream Scottish politics since the early 2000s.”

A vast number of other social media users have also made their voices heard.

Responding to the criticism, a Scottish Tory spokesperson said: “It is 100% wrong to suggest this comment was about LGBT families. Nothing whatsoever in this tweet is critical of LGBT people. 

“This comment was solely about the SNP-Green coalition hammering hard-working families, as we have said repeatedly since news of a nationalist deal broke.

“By 'anti-families', we mean exactly that – the SNP-Green Government will be harmful to families of all kinds across Scotland, regardless of the sex, gender or background of those families.”

Other elements of Ross’s comment were called out for their hypocrisy.

People pointed to the Scottish Government’s support of families through baby boxes and the child payment, with no such policies offered by the Tories.

They also highlighted the deal between the Tories and the DUP on Brexit.

A Green MSP is expected to join the Scottish Government as part of the co-operation agreement based on a model used in New Zealand.