Boris Johnson’s “hapless” leadership during the coronavirus public health crisis is paving the way for independence, a senior SNP politician claimed.
Former Scottish justice secretary Kenny MacAskill said it could give the SNP a green light to push a “more radical agenda”.
His comments were made as SNP MP Joanna Cherry called for the “party machine” to look at policy and strategy for independence.
Opponents said a global pandemic is no time to call for a referendum.
MacAskill criticised the Prime Minister’s performance, adding: “A man who cannot even safely look after his own country can’t restrict the forward march of another. The road to independence is open.”
He also claimed Scotland can do better: “With the Tories firmly in charge there’s little sign of change or even moderation. It’s full on for Brexit and ever closer links with the USA.
“The demands that there has to be a better way, and indeed a diverging way, from the UK path are only going to increase.”
Cherry meanwhile said the Scottish Government has to focus on the health crisis. But she added: “I am working towards one goal alone and that is the goal of independence which most of our movement shares.”
Tensions between UK and devolved governments have been exposed in recent days as politicians seek ways to get out of lockdown safely.
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack, a member of the UK Government, argued Scotland has benefited from the “financial strength” of the UK Treasury during the Covid-19 crisis.
He said: “We’re a very powerful economic machine in the UK and I know it is a bit of a unionist message, and I am not shying away from that, I am not embarrassed to say it.
“But because Scotland is part of the United Kingdom we have benefited enormously from that financial strength of the Treasury.”
