The leader of the Scottish Tories has challenged Nicola Sturgeon to a debate on independence.

Douglas Ross MP said his call was in response the SNP’s 'roadmap to independence’ and suggestions from senior SNP figures that a referendum could happen this year.

Both Michael Russell, Constitution Secretary, and Ian Blackford, Westminster leader, have said a second referendum could happen in 2021 after an SNP Holyrood election victory in May.

Mr Ross said: “We are living under a national lockdown and in the middle of a global pandemic.

“The Scottish Fiscal Commission are predicting our economy and job market won’t return to normal until about 2024.

“It is the duty of all politicians to come together and focus on the national interest in a time of crisis. The public expects 100% focus on the vaccine rollout and our recovery.”

He said there was no need to wait until the election campaign to debate independence and said it should be done this month.

He added: “We will match the SNP’s renewed threat of indyref2 this year, with a renewed push to stop them in their tracks, just as we did in 2016 and every year since.

“The SNP are not holding back. They’ve taken the gloves off and they’re going full-throttle for indyref2 right now.

“Which is why I am challenging Nicola Surgeon to a debate this month on Scotland’s future.

“If she believes that this referendum plan is an essential part of Scotland’s economic recovery from coronavirus, then she should explain it to the Scottish people.”