SNP urged to give up bid for second independence referendum following Brexit

'In the aftermath of the EU referendum, we now need a Scottish Government which is prepared to put stability first. Instead we have a First Minister doubling down on division by threatening yet another referendum'

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson (PA)

The Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson has said the SNP should give up plans for a second independence referendum in the wake of the UK’s vote to leave the European Union.

The SNP is still intending to launch a summer campaign for independence, but Ms Davidson has blamed the SNP for causing "utter chaos and confusion" on independence in response to the Brexit vote.

After the 2014 independence referendum, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had promised not to seek a second vote, but she has indicated the decision to leave the EU could be sufficient to change the party’s policy.

Ms Davidson said that figures published last week showing Scotland had a £14.8bn deficit in 2015/16 demonstrated "the cost of independence".

Ms Davidson said: "In the aftermath of the EU referendum, we now need a Scottish Government which is prepared to put stability first. Instead we have a First Minister doubling down on division by threatening yet another referendum.

"The SNP has a choice — to be Scotland's builders or Scotland's wreckers. To look to the future, or to take us back to the battles of the past.

"It is high time we had a Scottish Government that acted for all of us, not just its own narrow interests.

"Last week, the cost of independence was made clear once again. Yet despite all that, the Nationalists are threatening to kick-start their campaign for separation.

"It's not only unwanted — it also flies in the face of promises made by Nicola Sturgeon in April's election campaign when she said she'd only back a referendum if there was evidence people wanted it.

"Everything we have seen this summer demonstrates we have a Scottish Government that will put its independence obsession before the day job."

Her comments have angered the SNP, who have heavily criticised the Conservatives for causing the chaos of the EU referendum.

A SNP spokesman said: "Ruth Davidson and her increasingly right-wing band of MSPs are in no position to lecture anybody about stability given the utter chaos and confusion her party has caused with Brexit, and the potentially huge economic damage to Scotland which it threatens.

"Independent forecasts show Brexit could cost Scotland's economy up to £11bn a year, and given that threat, it is quite right that all options should be on the table to protect Scotland's place in Europe, in line with the decisive vote here to remain in the EU.

"It is the SNP Government which is getting on with the job of picking up the pieces post-Brexit vote, including bringing forward £100m in capital spending. Meanwhile, infrastructure investment is collapsing under the Tories, who still have no plan, while both the Prime Minister and Chancellor are posted missing."