Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson has accused the SNP of attempting to "get up the noses" of English people to help the cause of independence.

Davidson was questioned at a fringe event at her party's conference in Birmingham on Tuesday as to why she believes SNP MPs vote on legislation at Westminster which only affects those in England.

The Conservative leader said it was a tactical ploy by the Nationalists to limit support for the union in England.

Davidson told party supporters: "I think you have to realise why the SNP do this - why they want to get involved in issues like fox hunting that doesn't apply to Scotland, why they want to involved in Sunday trading that does not apply to Scotland and only exist within England and Wales.

"It is to annoy you. It is to get up the noses of people in England, it is on purpose.

She added: "It is absolutely incumbent on the SNP on their 56, 55 or how many MPs they have left to get on the UK papers and the UK television to get in the homes of people in England as often as they can to annoy you so you say 'actually you whining Scots please just leave'."

Davidson cited the example Quebec and the importance of their fellow Canadians in showing their support for the Canadian confederation continuing.

During the final week of the 1995 Quebec referendum hundreds of thousands of Canadians attended a unity rally in the province's most populous city, Montreal.

In March, the SNP voted against extending Sunday trading in England despite Scotland having similar laws.

The SNP have been approached for comment.