BORIS Johnson has been asked to visit Scotland as soon as it’s safe to do so – to boost support for Scottish independence.

The invitation was extended by an SNP MP who lambasted the Tory leader over his trade deal with Australia.

Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, John Nicolson said: “Every day the Prime Minister strengthens the case for Scottish independence.”

The SNP MP warned the UK Government’s trade deal means Scottish farmers are now facing “unfair competition from low-welfare Australian producers”.

He said lax rules down under mean animals can be transported for slaughter for two days “in the baking heat” without water.

“So farmers join seafood producers, musicians and a host of other sectors who realised his Brexit assurances were substance-free hot air,” Nicolson warned.

“Can I ask him when he’s planning his next Covid-safe visit to Scotland? Please come soon, every visit is a tonic for us, and toxic for his Scottish Tory apologists.”

The Prime Minister dismissed the claims about his Brexit policy and said he was looking forward to his next trip north.

He said: “I don’t want to disappoint the honourable gentleman but I am seldom away from Scotland and I can’t wait to be back there as soon as possible after the record poll secured by Scottish Conservatives at the recent election.”

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The Tory leader moved on to counter the supposed “abuse” of Australia, which he insisted maintains high animal welfare standards.

He condemned the “negative attitude to the opportunities that free trade offers this country and the people of Scotland”.

Johnson added: “When’s [Nicolson] going to stop running down Scottish agriculture and the potential of Scottish farming?”

The Prime Minister has consistently suffered dismal approval ratings in Scotland.

A recent Ashcroft poll, which asked respondents to score politicians on a a scale of extremely negative (-50) to extremely positive (+50), gave Johnson an average rating of -23.

His previous visits have also been linked to increases in support for Scottish independence, with the Tory leader conspicuous in his absence before the Scottish election in May.