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Ruth Davidson’s Scots Tories last night gave a pathetic defence of a ­controversial UK Government “rape clause” on welfare payments.

The party insisted it was the “most sensitive way” to deal with a new two-child cap on tax credits, which came into force yesterday.

But the heartless Tories were slammed last night for standing by Westminster’s ­“inhumane” policy.

It forces women to disclose their ordeal or miss out on extra social security payments.

Former chancellor George Osborne announced the plan in 2015. To avoid being penalised by the cap, a parent must sign a ­declaration stating: “I believe the non-consensual conception exception applies to my child”.

(Image: PA Wire)

They also have to sign to confirm they are not living with the “other parent” of the child.

Campaigners ramped up their fight against the rule as Rape Crisis Scotland and Scottish Women’s Aid said they will refuse to sign form NCC1 4/17, which exempts children born of non-consensual sex from cuts to child tax credit. But a ­Scottish Tory spokesman said: “We believe women who have been raped and, as a ­consequence, have a child should be granted an exemption from these benefit restrictions.

“That’s exactly what this measure does in the most ­sensitive way possible.”

SNP MSP Sandra White said: “These comments by the Scottish Tories are absolutely outrageous and show just how far they are prepared to go to back up their bosses at Westminster. To say that the rape clause is ‘the most sensitive way possible’ to manage benefits beggars belief.

“The UK Government must rethink this disgraceful policy – and the Scottish Tories should do the decent thing and add their voices to calls for it to be scrapped.”

The rule came in on the same day the Scottish Government ruled out any similar cap where they have responsibility. Yesterday, anti-clause SNP MP Alison Thewliss unveiled a poster campaign with women’s groups, and child poverty activisits.

Thewliss said: “What’s most horrifying is the rape clause, which is a vile policy in total chaos.

“Ministers are willing to give an exemption to those women whose third child was conceived as a result of rape but they want them to prove this in a traumatic assessment from healthcare professionals and social workers. This is utterly appalling.”

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said: “Our welfare reforms are ­incentivising work and restoring fairness to the system for those who need it as well as the taxpayers who fund it.

“Across the UK we continue to spend around £90billion a year supporting people who are out of work, disabled or a carer, bringing up a family or on a low income.”