A Scottish independence referendum this year has been dashed by coronavirus, an SNP politician claimed.
Chris McEleny, SNP group leader on Inverclyde Council, said it would "simply not be wise" to have a campaign during the major outbreak.
McEleny is among Nationalists campaigning for a "plan B" which might get round Westminster's block on indyref2.
Before coronavirus hit, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon insisted a referendum can be held this year.
The SNP conference in June has also been cancelled during the Covid-19 pandemic.
McEleny said: "The coronavirus pandemic could carry on well into summer.
"If the peak projection is June then we might only be on the other side of the curve well into the second half of the year - and that's if management of the pandemic goes as hoped.
"We shouldn't then diminish ourselves by pretending this doesn't change business as usual and that there is still the prospect of a referendum this year - it does, and there isn't.
"The chances of a referendum being agreed to by Boris Johnson were already slim to none, they are now simply none."
