NICOLA Sturgeon has warned there could be food-rationing in the UK because of Brexit.

The First Minister raised the prospect in response to new the UK government had appointed the first minister for food supplies since World War II.

It emerged on Wednesday that Tory MP David Rutley, a former executive at Asda and PepsiCo, had been given the brief at the Department of Agriculture earlier this month.

The UK government’s own analysis has suggested there could be shortages of food supplies after a No Deal Brexit because of logjams at ports and knock on effects on road haulage.

At First Minister’s Questions, Ms Sturgeon was asked by SNP MSP Rona Mackay if the possibility of rationing should mean a stop to “this Brexit madness”.

Ms Sturgeon said: “This news would have made most people across the UK stop in their tracks. The Tories’ stewardship of Brexit and the UK as a whole is proving so catastrophic that they have had to appoint a minister for food supplies, which is the first time that such a post has been held since world war two.

“How has it come to this situation? It is shameful, and it should be a source of shame for a long time to come for every member of the Conservative Party.

“I certainly hope that it will not come to food rationing in this country.

“If there ever comes a day when there is food rationing in this country because of a Tory Brexit, perhaps the first people who should bear the burden of that are Boris Johnson, Jacob Rees-Mogg, David Davis and Michael Gove - all people who perpetrated a dishonesty on the people of this country. We will see how they enjoy their Brexit bonanza.”

Mr Rutley said this week: “It is an honour to join the Defra ministerial team at such an important time. I am determined to ensure that we fully realise the opportunities of leaving the EU.”