JEREMY Hunt has vowed he’ll put Ruth Davidson in his Brexit negotiating team if he becomes Prime Minister — but snub Nicola Sturgeon.

The PM leadership hopeful confirmed the Scots Tory chief’s spot in EU talks as he insisted the First Minister would be barred over her push for independence.

4 Credit: Michael Schofield - The Sun Glasgow

And Mr Hunt branded the SNP “the most bullying, divisive, duplicitous, anti-business government Scotland has ever seen” as he pledged to refuse any request for powers to hold IndyRef2.

Speaking in Perth ahead of a hustings with No10 rival Boris Johnson, Mr Hunt said: “I want a Brexit that works for the Union.

“I am a passionate and committed Unionist, and Nicola Sturgeon is trying to break up that Union.

“And so I don’t believe her role in any Brexit negotiations would be one that helped further or strengthen the Union because she is fundamentally against that.”

He later told party members the Union “comes before everything” when asked what would take precedence between preserving the UK or Brexit, adding: “We can have both and we must have both because we are a great democracy.

4 Hunt confirms Ruth Davidson's spot in Brexit talks Credit: Getty - Contributor

“I am absolutely clear I will not be the Prime Minister that allows the break-up of the UK.”

Mr Hunt also blasted SNP ministers’ “disappointing” efforts to prepare Scotland for a No Deal Brexit.

Asked if he thought the Nats were trying to create “more of a disaster”, Mr Hunt replied: “I would like to see more focus on that from Nicola Sturgeon.

“They know and we know the areas where more can be done.”

Mr Hunt added: “As Prime Minister, I will arrive with an open mind and I will engage fully, responsibly and generously with Nicola Sturgeon on everything that helps Scotland move forward.

“But I will not engage with her on the issue of independence, which would take Scotland backwards.

4 Hunt would refuse any request from Sturgeon and SNP for IndyRef2 Credit: PA:Press Association

“I will certainly not engage with her on the issue of a second independence referendum, which is not what the people of Scotland want.”

MOST READ IN NEWS SEND OFF Mourners turn out at Glasgow mosque for funeral of slain hood as cops probe murder Latest HUGE SPIKE Scotland sees biggest Covid spike yet with 558 new cases & over half in Glasgow EARLY DOORS Glasgow nightclubs to open as early as 2pm amid new Covid pub curfew GANG WAR Greenock firebomb feud sparked by thug who ‘ordered attack on rival’s home’ LET OFF Topless yob who kicked Gers fan unconscious after 'For Sale' sign lunge dodges jail RACE SLUR Teen who battered multiple child rapist with pool cue in Polmont let off by judge

But SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford accused Mr Hunt of “high-handed arrogance”, which he said would “appeal to the Tory faithful” but not to others in Scotland.

The Nats chief added: “The people of Scotland overwhelmingly voted against Brexit yet we face being driven off an economic cliff-edge by a Tory government which we have also overwhelmingly rejected. No wonder support for the Tories has plummeted in Scotland — and no wonder support for independence is continuing to increase.

“The mandate to hold another independence referendum is not a matter of opinion. It is a matter of fact.”

Mr Blackford also slated Mr Hunt’s “gobsmacking” remarks on No Deal planning, adding: “This is like an arsonist setting a building on fire and then complaining that the firefighters aren’t doing enough to tackle the blaze.

4 Boris visits BAE Systems in Glasgow Credit: EPA

“The SNP Government continues with its preparations to protect against the threats from Brexit. But no amount of preparation or funding can completely mitigate all the impacts of leaving the EU — particularly a catastrophic No Deal Brexit.”

The row came as former PM Sir John Major threw his weight behind Jeremy Hunt, saying Boris Johnson “was part of the Brexit campaign that misled the country”.

Meanwhile, Mr Johnson promised an extra £25million a year in subsidies for Scottish farmers after Brexit if he gets into No10.

And he insisted the Union “comes first” when asked if he would prioritise Brexit or keeping the UK together.

On a visit to BAE Systems in Govan, Glasgow, the ex-Foreign Secretary said: “A good, sensible Brexit would spike the guns of the SNP and strengthen the Union.

“I’m a passionate Unionist. I will defend it, fight for it with every fibre of my being and every breath in my body.”

Boris Johnson also said he didn’t want to see IndyRef2 — but failed to give a straight answer on whether he’d block it even if the SNP wins an outright majority in the 2021 Holyrood elections with a manifesto commitment to hold it.

He said: “People were assured that their votes were decisive, they were told this was a once-in-a-generation thing, and I think we should stick to that promise.”

At the hustings, Mr Johnson confirmed he’d heard of “Operation Arse” — a plot by Scottish Tories to keep him out of No10 — but insisted he’d not been hurt “in the slightest” by it.

Asked if it worried him, BoJo replied: “Pah.”

And he declined to say if David Mundell would remain Scottish Secretary if he wins the race to No10, hours after Mr Mundell said Mr Johnson was “not an asset” to the Scottish Tory party.

He also said Mars bars, on which he claimed “our children depend”, would continue to be made under a No Deal, and added: “There will still be clean drinking water.”

christine.lavelle@the-sun.co.uk

Boris Johnson says he’d be much richer if didn’t become PM - but will make ‘sacrifice’ for Britain

We pay for your stories and videos! Do you have a story or video for The Scottish Sun? Email us at scoop@thesun.co.uk or call 0141 420 5200