Ruth Davidson says Nicola Sturgeon is ‘hell bent’ on destruction after she suggested next year would be ideal for a second referendum on independence
The Scottish Tory leader said she was trying to use any excuse to hold another "divisive" vote
SCOTS Tory boss Ruth Davidson accused Nicola Sturgeon of being “hell bent” on destruction today after she suggested next year would be ideal for a second IndyRef.
Ms Davidson urged Scotland's First Minister to put her country first for once saying she was "deeply irresponsible".
She stormed: “Nicola Sturgeon has just admitted what everybody already knew - that the SNP is hell bent on taking Scotland back to another divisive independence referendum and will use any excuse to do so.”
She added: "She knows a referendum would inflict further damage on Scotland's economy.
"It is deeply irresponsible for the First Minister of Scotland to cast this cloud of uncertainty over our future. She needs to put the country first for once, People in Scotland don't want a second referendum and the SNP doesn't have a mandate for one."
Ms Sturgeon used a BBC interview on Wednesday to claim autumn next year - before Britain exits the EU - was “common sense” timing for a second vote.
Her remarks were backed up by SNP lawmaker Stewart Hosie yesterday.
The row follows Philip Hammond's announcement of a £350m Budget bribe yesterday to keep Scotland in the UK.
It came as a new poll claimed half of Scots would back independence if a fresh referendum was held tomorrow.
The survey said there was a 50/50 split - but when those who were uncertain were included, staying in the UK had a small majority.
But more than half polled thought a vote should take place after the Brexit deal is completed - a plan being considered by ministers.
During FMQs yesterday Ruth Davidson described Nicola Sturgeon's referendum threats as "nonsense".
And firebrand leftie George Galloway yesterday declared Scotland leaving the UK would cause "misery".
Speaking on talkRADIO he said Scots were too canny to vote to leave and urged the Nats to "bring it on".
He added: "If you have to reduce [Scotland's] deficit from 10 per cent to 3 per cent [in order to join the EU], the result can only be misery. Then you’d have to accept the euro, then you’d have to accept free movement of EU labour."