Pro-union chief says SNP using COVID-19 to agitate for independence

Pro-union campaigners have accused the SNP of using the Coronavirus pandemic to agitate for independence.

The Scottish independence campaign has been largely put on hold during the pandemic

It comes after senior Nationalist MPs Kenny MacAskill and Joanna Cherry suggested that the difference in approach on the COVID-19 pandemic north and south of the border could build the case for independence.

Pamela Nash, chief executive of Scotland in Union said: "Most will be in despair at the behaviour by these senior SNP politicians.

“They should be completely focussed on the needs of their constituents during this public health emergency, but instead are using it as an opportunity to talk up their campaign to leave the UK.

“These politicians may have ‘one goal’ of dividing the people of Scotland, but it would be far better if they were working with colleagues across the political spectrum to ensure that the country comes through this crisis together.”

Mr MacAskill, the former justice secretary, used his Scotsman column today to suggest that the "the road to independence is open" as a result of COVID-19 divergences between the UK and Scottish governments.

Ms Cherry also indicated to day that the UK Government’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis "builds the case for independence."

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