In an article in today’s Herald, former SNP justice secretary Kenny MacAskill said Nicola Sturgeon was wrong to use Brexit as a trigger for another vote.
He said: “There needs to be a catalyst. The Brexit vote on its own leaves too many unanswered questions.”
It follows comments from SNP MSP Joan McAlpine, who said the independence drive was now on the party’s “back burner”.
In contrast, former First Minister Alex Salmond has predicted another referendum before the end of 2018, while his successor has already instructed civil servants to start drawing up fresh plans.
It means the uncertainty of separation will continue to hang over Scottish businesses at a time when the economy here already lags behind that of the rest of the UK.
Scottish Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw said:
“The mixed messages coming from the SNP on this risk leaving Scotland in the lurch.
“Nicola Sturgeon needs to show some leadership and rule this out now.
“For the next five years, the priority of this Scottish Government has to be the bread-and-butter running of the country, not agitating for another separation vote.
“We’re in a ludicrous position where some sitting MSPs and the former justice secretary say we should hold off.
“But at the same time, Alex Salmond predicts there will be a referendum within two years, while his successor as First Minister has already started drawing up plans.
“This uncertainty is hurting Scotland badly, and it’s just not good enough.
“People are getting sick of this, and it’s time the SNP woke up to that fact.”