THE SNP are calling on Ruth Davidson to act over a "crass and offensive" tweet about the Second World War by her deputy leader.

Davidson has been urged to order Scottish Tory MSP Jackson Carlaw to withdraw his comment.

In a tweet marking the anniversary of Nazi Germany's surrender, he said: "73 years ago today Nazi Germany surrendered, bringing an end to the European conflict in WW2. Not one time did people ask whether those defending our small island nation were from Gloucester or Glasgow. It didn't matter. We were one people standing alone."

Social media users were quick to respond, pointing out that people from many countries across the world had fought alongside the UK.

READ MORE: Scottish Tory deputy's offensive WW2 tweet prompts furious backlash

Veterans Minister Keith Brown said: "Jackson Carlaw’s crass comments are not only historically inaccurate – many will find them deeply insulting.

“Of course it is right that we mark the bravery of Britain’s servicemen and women – and citizens – in helping to defeat the Nazis, but to casually disregard the sacrifices made by people across occupied Europe, and those from the Soviet Union, the United States and from around the world is both crass and offensive.

“It is also incredibly ignorant to suggest that people could not fight in the British army while also supporting Scottish independence – whether we are talking about 1945 or in 2018.

"If any pro-independence supporter today tried to extract political capital from the Second World War, they would quite rightly be taken to task – and the Tories would no doubt be first in the queue to attack them.

“Of all the moments to make this ill-judged, blundering intervention, Mr Carlaw chooses the week that people across the continent mark Europe Day – which is supposed to symbolize the co-operation and friendship that we have worked so hard to deliver over the last seventy years.

“It is the job of political leaders to set an example by engaging in a respectful and fact-based debate, and Jackson Carlaw has failed on both counts.  

"Ruth Davidson should get her deputy into line - and demand that he withdraw the Tweet and apologise.”

Carlaw appeared defiant in the face of the online backlash, tweeting: "One of the quiet joys of a holiday Monday is muting all the simply ghastly and largely dismal cybernats. It's the Twitter equivalent of Munro bagging."