Theresa May has mocked the SNP’s changing plans for an independent Scotland’s currency.
The Conservative leader earlier drew condemnation for claiming the party does not have the mandate to pursue a Scottish breakaway.
The Nationalists unveiled a new strategy last week for Scotland to keep sterling initially, with parliament voting by the end of the first term on whether to introduce a Scots replacement.
Speaking at PMQs, Mrs May said: “I seem to recall back in the 2014 referendum that the SNP were absolutely adamant that Scotland would keep the pound.
“There have been a few changes since then. They have gone through looking at the option of the euro then they went back to sterling, now they are into an independent currency.
“This government is working to secure a Brexit deal that protects jobs and our economy.
“The SNP should focus on that rather than continuing to pursue their independence fantasy.”
The PM earlier told the chamber that “the SNP has no mandate from the Scottish people to continue to pursue independence”.
FACT CHECK: Theresa May claims the SNP Scottish Government doesn’t have a mandate for a referendum on Scottish independence.
This is false. #PMQs pic.twitter.com/pMv5nv8fyM
— The SNP Media (@theSNPMedia) March 6, 2019
Raising a point of order about those remarks, Ian Blackford, the Nationalists’ leader in Westminster, said: “Let me say quite unequivocally that is simply not the case.”
He referred to the SNP’s 2016 manifesto backing another referendum if there was a “material change of circumstances”, including a UK vote for Brexit that was not approved by Scots, and Holyrood voting in March 2017 for Indyref2.
Mr Blackford called on Mrs May to correct the record to state that the “SNP and the government in Scotland does have a majority and a mandate for independence”.
✋The SNP have no mandate for a second referendum on independence.
?We said no, we meant it. Why can't they listen?#indyref2 #PMQs pic.twitter.com/EPbeYAoFOC
— ScotConservatives (@ScotTories) March 6, 2019
