Tory Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said UK officials will review the role of Scotland’s civil service after the Supreme Court ruled the SNP cannot hold a referendum without Westminster’s consent.
The senior Conservative said staff would look at the verdict’s implications for the Scottish Government as business chiefs prepared to mount a legal fight over independence spending.
Mr Jack had been asked in the Commons whether it was “appropriate” for public money to be spent on a vote and claimed SNP demands for a ballot were now a “party political issue”.
Mr Jack said: “They are working on what this judgement means for the future of the civil service in Scotland.”
Meanwhile, business leaders – led by a care home boss with premises in Perthshire and the north-east – want to take the Scottish Government to court over their referendum spending.
Robert Kilgour, who was brought up in Fife and runs Renaissance Care, said: “Nicola Sturgeon is using public taxpayers’ money and civil servants for party purposes.
“We’re seeking advice on the legal options in front of us. Enough is enough.”
Ms Sturgeon’s administration had earmarked £20 million for a referendum on leaving the UK next year.
A series of papers have also been produced by the Scottish Government outlining SNP proposals for independence.
The first minister has not yet indicated that the funds set aside for a vote in 2023 will be spent elsewhere.
Her party will now fight the next UK election on the single issue of independence since all paths to a legal referendum have been blocked.
The SNP chief has accused senior Tories of “denying democracy” by refusing to grant a vote.
‘Party political issue’
At the Scottish Affairs Committee on Monday, Scottish Tory leader and Moray MP Douglas Ross said: “It seems clear this is now a party political issue and not a government issue.
“I think people in Scotland would be concerned that there continues to be millions of pounds annually spent at the direction of the first minister and Scottish Government on what is now a party election issue.”
While Mr Jack shared concerns over spending, he said Ms Sturgeon’s announcement following the court ruling indicated she would not use government funds on an election.
He said: “The first minister did go to a hotel in Edinburgh to make the announcement that she wanted to make the general election a de facto referendum.
“She acknowledged that this was a political statement, in effect.”
‘It’s not going to happen’
During the hearing, SNP veteran Pete Wishart pressed Mr Jack on whether there was any legal route for Scotland to leave the UK.
The Perth MP also asked if it would not be wise for Ms Sturgeon to set aside money for a referendum in case the Tories changed their mind.
Mr Jack told him: “I don’t want to let you down too gently. It’s not going to happen.”
The Scottish Government was contacted for comment.
