Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson has been described using a homophobic slur at a pro-independence event.

The Edinburgh Central MSP was branded "Ruth 'Dykey' D" by a performer at the Scottish Independence Convention on Sunday.

The event was part of a series of gatherings over the weekend to mark two years since the independence referendum, in which a majority of Scots rejected an exit from the United Kingdom.

Supporters of independence had hoped to use the weekend's events to regroup and step up the campaign for a second referendum.

The use of the anti-gay term to describe Davidson, a prominent unionist and LGBT politician, appeared to overshadow the message of the convention.

A spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives said: "The nationalists are always the first to scream offence at anything that even mildly upsets them. But when it's a joke at the expense of pro-UK campaigners, it's suddenly harmless and hilarious.

"The SNP should be lambasting this but instead its elected representatives are praising it on social media."

During a musical set at the convention, rapping group Witsherface sang: "Here's my girl, Mhairi 'Black Belt' B/ With Nicola Sturgeon, minister primary/ Versus Ruth 'Dykey' D/ And Kezia Dugdale."

Speakers at the event included former SNP leader Alex Salmond, Scottish Government minister Jeane Freeman, Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer, and Rosie Kane from Women for Independence.

Also in attendance were comedians Elaine C Smith and Janey Godley, both high-profile campaigners for Scottish independence.

Smith was a member of the Yes Scotland advisory board during the 2014 referendum.

An SNP spokesman said: "We condemn any form of homophobia - this was not an SNP event."

SNP MP Joanna Cherry QC, Westminster spokeswoman for home affairs and justice, tweeted a front-of-stage picture of the performance and called it "hilarious", said Witsherface was "brilliant", and that she was "still laughing".

Challenged on Twitter about the homophobic slur against the Scottish Tory leader, Cherry accused her critics of "mansplaining" homophobia and told them: "Don't bother."

The Edinburgh South West MP, who is gay, said she had "been on [the] receiving end" of homophobia on Twitter "but heard none today".

On Sunday evening, Cherry tweeted: "It's a shame if anyone was offended today. I wasn't but as an out lesbian & long term supporter of #LGBT rights I obvs condemn homophobia."

She then retweeted a post from a nationalist user that argued: "[A]ncient Greek, Dyke probably stems from Dikē which was the goddess of justice & the spirit of moral order and fair judgement."

Cherry later added: "For many years lesbians have self referenced as dykes now it seems we must apologise to others for no longer finding the word offensive. Lol."

It is not the first time a political party has been embarrassed by a musical performance.

In 2014, Ukip came under fire for a song by supporter and DJ Mike Read, Ukip Calypso, in which he mimicked a Caribbean accent.

He sang: "Our leaders committed a cardinal sin/Open the borders let them all come in/Illegal immigrants in every town/Stand up and be counted Blair and Brown."

Last week, an Ipsos MORI poll for STV News showed Ruth Davidson had a higher net satisfaction rating amongst voters than Nicola Sturgeon.