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A TOP QC yesterday branded the Scots Tories “dysfunctional morons” after sensationally quitting the party.

Paul McBride, who was justice adviser to Annabel Goldie, resigned just hours after Ruth Davidson was elected the party’s new leader in Scotland.

McBride said he quit over the Tories’ opposition to anti-sectarian laws and minimum pricing for alcohol.

He also branded their justice spokesman a “twit” hours after resigning.

McBride said: “It had nothing to do with Ruth winning. I resigned over their performance on criminal justice, in particular their approach to the Offensive Behaviour Bill.

“They are the most moronic, dysfunctional, introspective bunch of MSPs I’ve ever seen.

“They have no interest in the people of Scotland. Their only interest is their careers.

“I’m joining the 87 per cent of the population who don’t agree with a word they say.”

The lawyer, who has represented Celtic and manager Neil Lennon, said he backed the SNP government’s attempts to tackle sectarianism.

He said: “In Scotland we have two main problems in criminal justice and society – alcohol abuse and sectarianism.

“Whether you agree with the SNP’s policy of minimum pricing for alcohol or not, at least they are trying to do something about it.

“The Tories oppose minimum pricing but have no alternative suggestions.”

The SNP’s Offensive Behaviour Bill is designed to tackle football-related sectarianism but includes a non-football-related offence of making “threatening communications”.

McBride said: “The bill prevents offensive behaviour against people who are gay, disabled or belong to a certain group or religion. It also prevents people glorifying terrorism.

“The Tories oppose criminalising people who wish to indulge in that kind of behaviour.”

McBride believes the Scottish Tories will not win more support under Davidson, who succeeds Goldie as leader.

He said: “All they have done is replace one very nice woman, under whom the party declined, with another woman, who probably isn’t as nice, is going to get less votes and is supported by only two out of her 15 MSP colleagues.”

McBride also singled out Scottish Tory justice spokesman John Lamont – who was Davidson’s campaign manager – for criticism.

He said: “That twit has opposed every single initiative Kenny MacAskill has come out with and hasn’t offered one positive suggestion to deal with crime.”

McBride, who made a high-profile defection to the Scottish Tories from Labour in 2009, said he will not join another political party.

A Scottish Tory party spokesman said: “We do not comment on internal party affairs.”