IAN Blackford urged Theresa May to step down as Tory leader and called for a second Brexit referendum during a fiery session in the House of Commons.

The SNP Westminster leader also lambasted the Tory government for stripping power away from the Scottish Government.

The Prime Minister responded by claiming that voting for the SNP in the European elections would "betray our democracy".

Blackford hit out at May after she pleaded with MPs to let her Brexit deal pass.

READ MORE: Ian Blackford slams Theresa May's new deal as 'hollow rhetoric'

The Prime Minister warned that whoever succeeded her would face the same Brexit pressures as she called on MPs to back the Withdrawal Agreement Bill.

Several senior Tory MPs were conspicuous in their absence as the so-called “pizza club” of Cabinet ministers met, reportedly to plan for May’s succession.

Responding to the Tory leader’s statement, Blackfold said: “Let me give the Prime Minister some friendly advice: this deal is dead. Stop this charade and let’s get on with putting the decision back to the people once and for all.

“The headlines this morning cry of doom. The benches opposite concentrate on ways to launch a leadership coup – and where are they? That’s exactly what they’re doing this afternoon because they’re not here to support the Prime Minister.

“This is no way to run a government. The Prime Minister is asking MPs to vote for a deal that takes Scotland out of the single market and eventually out of the customs union. This simply cannot be allowed to happen.

“This a rookie government attempting to blackmail MPs. Look behind the smoke and mirrors – a new revised deal that hasn’t even been negotiated with Brussels; a second EU referendum but only if you vote for the bill; a secondary customs union which a future UK Government could change and the European Union have dismissed; a trade tariff arrangement which the former UK representative to the EU has described as the definition of insanity.

“Mr Speaker, none of what the Prime Minister announced yesterday was discussed with the devolved government in Edinburgh. This really goes to the heart of the problem.

“In December 2016, the Scottish Government published a compromise position. This was rejected without discussion.

“Scotland’s voice has been ignored time and time again. Brexit has meant our power stripped away from the Scottish Parliament.

“There is no respect for the devolved administrations by this government. Westminster has ignored Scotland.

“Mr Speaker, this is a sorry mess. Look around, there is no support for the Prime Minister’s deal.

“Prime Minister, this deal faces an even bigger defeat than the last vote. Tomorrow, communities will make their voice heard in our democratic European election.

“Mr Speaker, a vote for the SNP is a vote to stop Brexit; a vote to stop this economic madness; a vote to respect Scotland’s decision in 2016.

“The Prime Minister has lost the confidence of her party. Parliament will not support her and she has the lost the trust of the people. It is time Prime Minister to go, will you do it?”

May responded by saying the devolved administrations had been “party to discussions and debates” on Brexit.

The Prime Minister also claimed that a vote for the SNP was a vote “to betray our democracy”.

She added: “People asked us in this House to deliver Brexit. We have a responsibility to do that. The questions is how we do that.

“The Withdrawal Agreement Bill gives the opportunity to debate those issues … and I say to the right honourable gentleman, this House should have those debates, come to a decision, stop ducking the issues and get on with the job the British people instructed us to do.”

The National: Theresa May

Earlier during PMQs, Blackford branded May’s new Brexit deal a "fantasy".

He asked: "Her customs union compromise already dismissed by the EU, isn't this new deal just a fantasy?"

May replied: "There is a difference of opinion in this House on the future customs arrangement with the EU, that's why it's important that this House actually comes to a decision on that issue.

"Allowing the second reading of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill will enable this House to come to a decision on that issue.

"It will also enable the House to come to a decision on a second referendum, which I continue to believe would not be the right route for this country to go down, we should deliver on the first referendum before suggesting anything about a second."

Blackford argued May's "time is up".

He said: "My goodness, talk about ignoring reality. Prime Minister, look at the benches behind you. The Prime Minister is fooling no-one but herself and the truth is that the people of Scotland don't want her deal.

"Her own party doesn't want her deal and now even the pro-Brexit Labour front bench won't support her deal, her time is up. Tomorrow, people in Scotland have a choice, to send a message, to send pro-European outward looking SNP MEPs to Brussels to stop Brexit.

"Prime Minister, what party does she think the people of Scotland will choose?"

May replied: "There is only one party in Scotland guaranteeing no more referendums and that's the Conservative Party."

The Prime Minister confirmed that the Government is continuing to make preparations for a no-deal Brexit.