NICOLA STURGEON came under pressure today after she appeared to brand a police officer calling for a better pay rise “disgraceful.”

The First Minister’s office denied that she had criticised the officer after the disparity between the pay rise offered to teachers and those awarded to other public-sector workers was highlighted in the Scottish Parliament.

Last week, the Educational Institute of Scotland suspended plans for a strike ballot after ministers offered teachers a 13.5 per cent rise over three years.