Scottish Labour has shored up its opposition to IndyRef2 amid growing splits on whether the party should back a second referendum.
They will line up against SNP Government legislation on Thursday which sets out the rules for another constitutional vote.
Richard Leonard’s party softened its stance on IndyRef2 during the general election by saying a Labour Government would not block a referendum.
The switch was an attempt to woo left-wing Yes supporters, but Labour ending up losing six of its seven seats.
The reverse led to some senior party figures arguing the party should move even closer to backing IndyRef2.
Health Secretary Monica Lennon said it should be Holyrood, not the UK Government, that should have the final say on a referendum, a view backed up by ex-MP Ged Killen. Senior councillor Alison Evison went further by saying IndyRef2 should happen.
The calls sparked a backlash among other Labour MSPs, including Anas Sarwar, Colin Smyth and Daniel Johnson, who believe their party should robustly oppose IndyRef2.
Sarwar said: “I see some “key figures” in Scottish Labour are jumping to join the false choice of Boris’ Britain vs Sturgeon’s Scotland.
“This does nothing to reject the divisive visions of both and hold together those that believe in the principles of unity, solidarity, equality and redistribution.
“Rather than making rash pronouncements on IndyRef2, I think we need a genuine period of reflection and some humility from those who led us to our worst EU election result and worst General Election result in living memory.”
At a meeting yesterday, Labour MSPs agreed to oppose a referendum framework bill.
A Scottish Labour spokesman said: “Scottish Labour will oppose the Referendums bill. We opposed it at stage one and continue to do so.”
