A Scottish Conservative MSP has refused to deny that his party is urging its supporters to vote Labour at the general election.
Shadow education secretary and central Scotland MSP Stephen Kerr said the Scottish electorate "know how to vote to get rid of this nationalist government".
He added that he was "not aware" of any discussions between Scottish Labour and the Scottish Tories, but did not rule out the tactical voting plan.
This comes after The Sunday Times reported that the Scottish Conservatives would urge its supporters to vote Labour in key constituencies in the general election to end SNP rule.
The Tories have reportedly invited their rivals to take part in tactical voting which would help unionist parties in rural areas while giving Labour support in the central belt.
When asked on BBC Scotland's The Sunday Show about the plans, Kerr said: "I think it would be wrong to underestimate the sophistication of the Scottish electorate.
"I think they know exactly what they want, they know exactly how to vote."
When pushed by presenter Martin Geissler if the Tories were going to try to manipulate voters, Kerr said: "Absolutely not interested in the word manipulation in any of its forms."
He continued: "What this is about is the priorities of the people of Scotland... when it comes to voting, I think they'll know how to vote to get rid of this nationalist government."
Although he refused to deny that the Tories had agreed a pact with Labour, Kerr added: "I'm not aware of any discussions that have ever been held with the Labour Party about any of this."
SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn said he was not surprised by the reported pact and "it's a struggle to spot the difference between the Tories and Labour"
He said: “It will surprise no one to see the dreadful better together band announcing their reunion - a band that made endless empty promises to people across Scotland because they couldn't muster a positive case for the broken union.
“The disastrous duo have been standing shoulder to shoulder in councils and in Holyrood ever since but, be in no doubt, people will not be fooled by this latest effort. Neither of the Westminster parties are even pretending to care about Scotland's interests anymore.
“Quite frankly, it’s a struggle to spot the difference between the Tories and Labour - the pro Brexit, pro cuts, anti Scottish democracy Labour Party is a pale imitation of the right wing Tories.
“Scotland deserves far better than either of the Westminster parties' contempt of ignoring our interests at every turn - the SNP will always champion Scotland’s voice and seek to build a fairer, more prosperous future as an independent country, free from Westminster control for good.”
A Scottish Conservative source told The Sunday Times: “With the election of Humza Yousaf as SNP leader there is clearly an opportunity to end nationalist dominance at next year’s general election and make them pay the price for ignoring Scotland’s real priorities.
“But that requires Scots to vote smart to maximise tactical voting. That means putting normal party politics to one side and voting for the candidate most likely to beat the SNP. That means, for example, Conservative voters in Glasgow backing Labour, while Labour voters in Aberdeenshire vote for the Conservatives.”
Humza Yousaf could soon be facing his first by-election as First Minister as former SNP MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West Margaret Ferrier is likely to face a by-election after the standards committee recommended a 30-day suspension from the House of Commons.
Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said “It appears the Scottish Tories have accepted that they have lost the next General Election.
“Scotland has two failing governments. The next General Election is an opportunity to get rid of the Tories and send a message to the SNP - by voting Scottish Labour.
“Then at the Scottish Parliament election we can get rid of this divided and incompetent SNP government - by voting Scottish Labour.”
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