THE Scottish LibDems were last night trying to back pedal on a comment by one of their MPs that he would prefer a No-Deal Brexit to Jeremy Corbyn as Prime Minister.

Jamie Stone, the party’s Scotland spokesman, said he would choose No Deal “every time” over handing the Labour leader the keys to Number 10 when he was interviewed on the BBC.

He was asked: “If no one else does emerge and the choice that you face is between Jeremy Corbyn as Prime Minister or a No-Deal Brexit, then your position is ... You’re a pro-European party, you’re anti No Deal, so where do you stand?”

Stone, who represents Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, replied: “It is No Deal every time. As I say, I cannot possibly support him.”

A Scottish LibDem spokesman said reports were “nonsense”.

And Thomas Prag, chair of the LibDems' Highlands constituency, said Stone had been quoted out of context.

He told The National: “No Deal would be a potentially disastrous outcome.”

Asked what he would prefer, he added: “I don’t have a preference. It is not up to me, but I certainly don’t want No Deal and I don’t think anybody does, so that is not a choice.”

Another senior Scottish LibDem suggested the issue presented difficulties for the party as it could come down to what was more important – supporting EU membership or opposing independence.

“Although we are very pro EU, we are also very much against independence and if there is a nod and a wink type deal where the SNP support Corbyn in return for another referendum we are in a very difficult position. Maybe these issues were in Jamie’s mind,” the insider said.

“Hopefully over the next few days the idea of a neutral figure becoming caretaker Prime Minister such as Ken Clarke or Harriet Harman will get wider support.”

Labour’s shadow Scottish secretary Lesley Laird said Stone had “let the mask slip”.

She said: “Despite the spin about being a new and invigorated party under Jo Swinson, they [the LibDems] are the same party that inflicted austerity on the country and they are now willing to inflict a No-Deal Brexit on the country.

“Labour has been saying for months that the LibDems would rather a No-Deal Brexit than for Jeremy Corbyn to become interim Prime Minister.

“A No-Deal Brexit would be a catastrophe for working people across the UK. Jo Swinson must clarify these comments immediately or the LibDems will never be forgiven.”

Meanwhile, an SNP MP has said the LibDems must stop “acting as a roadblock” to cross-party efforts to stop Brexit.

Pete Wishart said the LibDems would be prepared to inflict a catastrophic Brexit on Scotland, which could destroy 100,000 Scottish jobs.

He said: “The LibDems would be willing to inflict a devastating No-Deal Brexit on Scotland, which could cause a recession, destroy 100,000 Scottish jobs and inflict lasting harm on living standards, public services, and the economy. The mask is slipping, and it is increasingly clear the LibDems are acting as a roadblock to efforts to get rid of Boris Johnson’s government and stop Brexit.

"Jo Swinson served as a minister under the Tories and it seems that, under her leadership, old habits die hard – she would rather keep the most right-wing Tory government in living memory in office than avoid a No-Deal outcome.”