SNP challenged to publish findings of separation research

OPPOSITION parties yesterday called on Nicola Sturgeon to publish the responses to the consultation on a second independence referendum – three months after it closed to the public.

It comes as the Tories say their MSPs could boycott any attempt to force another separation vote, which has already been ruled out in the short term by Prime Minister Theresa May.

The First Minister has promised to update Holyrood on how she plans to advance her proposals for a referendum in the coming weeks.

But opposition MSPs insist the SNP leader must first allow scrutiny of the responses to her government’s consultation. There are claims that these have not yet been published as they do not show support for a second referendum.

Before Miss Sturgeon can hold a binding independence vote she must be granted a Section 30 order by the UK Government – which she has requested.

But SNP sources have indicated they could look at other options such as holding a ‘consultative’ referendum without Westminster consent or introducing a Holyrood Referendum Bill without a Section 30 order.

A Tory source said: ‘We would boycott any attempt to create constitutional conflict by ramming through a Bill outside the legislative competence of the Scottish parliament.

‘People would see through this as a cynical ruse to stoke up grievance. Scots are increasingly sick and tired of Nicola Sturgeon’s antics.’

Before the first Referendum Bill in 2012, it took five months to analyse 26,000 responses and publish 18,500 of them online. The latest consultation, which closed on January 11, brought 7,500 responses – less than a third of the previous total.

Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie said: ‘If the responses to the consultation are as colourful as those on the doorstep it’s no surprise the SNP is reluctant to publish.

‘People are angry the SNP is addicted to another independence referendum when so much else is going wrong.

‘The economy is teetering on the edge of a recession, education is slipping and the NHS is struggling, but all the SNP care about is independence.’ Conservative MSP Adam Tomkins said: ‘Before Nicola Sturgeon presses ahead with her plans for another divisive vote, maybe she should consider the results of this first.’

Labour MSP James Kelly said: ‘People will rightly question whether this consultation has yet to be published because the responses don’t fit the SNP narrative.’

However, the Scottish Government said the responses will be ‘published in due course’.

A spokesman added: ‘We are grateful for the more than 7,500 responses to the Draft Referendum Bill consultation.’