In a keynote speech to the House of Lords, Baroness Goldie said the First Minister’s contribution to the UK leaving the EU was to promote SNP party interests.
She told the House of Lords:
“What is Nicola Sturgeon’s healing and measured contribution to this crisis? She wants to prepare for another independence referendum.
“It is a seriously misjudged response. It may reflect the Scottish National Party’s interests. It profoundly disserves Scotland’s national interest.”
She adds: “Firstly 1.6 million votes in Scotland to remain in the European Union do not cancel out 2m votes to stay in the United Kingdom union.
“Secondly the union she wants to leave accounts for two thirds of Scotland’s exports. The union she wants to join accounts for just 15 per cent of Scotland’s exports.
“Thirdly the fundamental flaws of the separation case remain unaltered – no central bank, no currency, and a worsening budget deficit of £15b and business jitters.”
Setting out how the First Minister should manage UK negotiations with the EU, she added:
“My message to Nicola Sturgeon is this. Your country’s interests are at stark variance with your party’s interests.
“Your duty in these turbulent times is to your country.
“Protect Scotland and promote Scotland by being at the heart of the UK leave negotiations.
"Use your considerable skills to inform and influence these discussions.
"Use your position to reassure the business community and to engender stability.
"Above all else do not wreck that positive platform for progress by re-igniting the destructive and divisive process of an independence referendum."