NICOLA Sturgeon has reacted with fury after UK Government ministers demanded she cancel constituency commitments to meet with Theresa May’s de facto deputy.

Cabinet office minister David Lidington, who is is Scotland today, says his department tried to arrange talks with Sturgeon, but were knocked back.

READ MORE: Here's why The National wasn't given a chance to scrutinise May's deputy

The First Minister took to Twitter to hit out at the Tory minister.

“This is outrageous,” she said. “My office got a call around 6pm last night to offer a meeting this morning - purpose not clear. I wasn’t prepared to cancel my constituency commitments at such short notice for @scotgov to yet again have to hear empty platitudes rather than be listened to.”

During his trip north of the Border, Lidington, who is tipped to replace Dominic Raab as Brexit Secretary, used an interview with local radio to tell his colleagues calling for a leadership contest that they would be defeated. May, he said, would win a no confidence vote "handsomely".

Bauer Radio Scotland asked what he would say to MPs submitting letters of no confidence to the 1922 committee of Tory backbenchers.

He said: "Withdraw them, because I don't think you're doing the country any good by attacking the Prime Minister in this way.

"I've seen no plausible alternative plan from any of those criticising her or wanting to challenge her position.

"I believe if it does comes to a challenge the Prime Minister will win handsomely and she will deserve to do so."

Under Tory party rules, a leadership contest is held when 48 backbench MPs submit letters to Graham Brady who chairs the 1922 committee.

At least four more letters have been handed over to Brady.

Maria Caulfield, Adam Holloway, John Whittingdale and Mark Francois have all said they could no longer support the prime minister.

In a statement, Whittingdale said: “I want the government to pursue a proper free trade agreement which does deliver the Brexit objectives but which keeps us as close to Europe as possible.

“I believe that is on offer from the European Union but it is clear that the prime minister is unwilling to move from her existing position. Therefore I felt there is no alternative but to seek a vote of confidence.”