Scottish independence: Scots do not want more 'constitutional wrangling' over independence, says Rishi Sunak

The Prime Minister made the comments amid an ongoing probe into Scottish Government independence spending

Scots do not want more "constitutional wrangling", Rishi Sunak has said, amid an ongoing probe into the Scottish Government's independence spending.

The Prime Minister was asked about an investigation being carried out by Simon Case, the Cabinet Secretary and head of the Civil Service.

Mr Case recently said civil servants in Scotland could be issued with new guidance “within weeks” after concerns were raised about officials supporting the work of Jamie Hepburn, the Scottish independence minister.

Rishi Sunak

First Minister Humza Yousaf launched the fifth paper in the Scottish Government’s independence prospectus series, Building a New Scotland, last week, with the latest document focused on citizenship.

Asked if he had concerns about Scottish ministers spending money in this area, and whether he wanted to see action taken, Mr Sunak said: "Well, what's right is that, as the head of the civil service, it's Simon Case, the cabinet secretary, who conducts a review of that particular situation. And I think it's right that we let that continue.

"But what I'm focused on is delivering for the people of Scotland, as I am for people across the UK, and I'm focused on their priorities. I don't think their priority is more constitutional wrangling at this moment in time. Their priorities are the priorities that I've set out, in fact.

"It's about bringing down inflation, easing the burden on the cost of living. It's about the economy, growing, creating jobs, as today's announcement illustrates. It's about cutting waiting lists, as we have got strong action to do in England and that's what I think people would want to see in Scotland as well.

"Those are the issues that are concerning people at the moment, not constitutional wrangling. That's what I'm focused on delivering as Prime Minister.

"And I've always said, I'm always happy to work constructively with the Scottish Government to deliver for people in Scotland. You saw that, I think when I was last here, we announced the creation of two free ports, which are a great example of doing something together which is good for Scotland, good for Scottish people – their jobs, opportunities and the economy."

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack, who was accompanying the Prime Minister on a trip to the north east of Scotland, said the focus should be on spending taxpayers’ money on public services.