Critics round on Sturgeon

Scottish Secretary David Mundell criticised the first minister for being out of touch and said she had not gone far enough in merely delaying the possibility of a second referendum.

The Conservative MP branded Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement as “disappointing”. And he added that he had expected the threat to be pushed beyond 2021 at a minimum.

He said: “Far from taking a second independence referendum off the table, as the people of Scotland called on her to do during the election, she has merely pushed her preferred timescale back by six months.

“And, far from outlining steps to improve education and health in Scotland, as people want, she talked of using her time to grow the independence movement.

“These were the words of a first minister who is not listening, who is out of touch, and who – rather than serving Scotland – has become a prisoner of her independenceobsessed party.”

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn also criticised Ms Sturgeon and declared she should focus on tackling inequality.

He said: “The election showed that the Scottish people do not want another unnecessary referendum.

“In Holyrood, the SNP government has failed to use the powers available to tackle inequality and protect public services.

“Scotland needs a Labour government that will bring hope, end austerity and transfer wealth, power and opportunity to the many from the few.”

Scottish Business UK founder Robert Kilgour welcomed any delay, but warned businesses need stability.

He said: “It’s a relief the first minister has announced the prospect of another referendum on independence has been parked for the time being, but they (business) will be concerned the engine is very much being kept running.

“Business leaders across all sectors in Scotland need a degree of stability to help attract new business and investment.

“So today’s decision will help in the short term, but the prospect of a return to a push for Indyref 2 as soon as next year will cause widespread concern.”

Meanwhile, William Hill spokesman Joe Crilly said the announcement had pushed out the odds of a referendum taking place before the end of 2020 from 6/4 to 2/1.

He added: “We have eased the odds of a referendum taking place within the next two and a half years although it remains odds-on that one takes place before the end of 2024.”