Sturgeon 'in denial' over Scot backlash: SNP leader REFUSES to discuss election in Cabinet
NICOLA Sturgeon was accused of being "in denial" today after failing to discuss the ballot box backlash against her crusade for independence with senior colleagues.
Sturgeon: I have always believed Scotland will be independent
The First Minister said she would "reflect" on demands for a second referendum in the light of losing 21 MPs in the general election amid mounting pressure to ditch the drive.
But at her first Cabinet meeting since Thursday's snap poll, the subject was not even discussed with aides refusing to be drawn on when Ms Sturgeon will address the issue.
However her spokesman insisted she had a "triple lock" mandate for another referendum after winning more MPs than any other party north of the Border.
It came as it emerged the SNP has taken down a fund raising page to push for separation ahead of schedule.
The ref.scot website appeal to supporters was launched as Ms Sturgeon made her call for another referendum at her official residence of Bute House in Edinburgh on March 13.
The cash drive, which included a video from the First Minister, was due run until June 21 but closed early after raising about half of its £1 million target.
Ms Sturgeon has admitted that her plans for a second referendum were "undoubtedly" a factor in seeing her party lose more than a third of the 56 seats it gained in 2015.
Nicola Sturgeon told to resign by QT audience member
But she has refused to rule out another plebiscite completely warning against "rushing to overly-simplistic judgments" and had been expected to announce more details in the coming days.
Clearly independence has become the elephant in the room for Nicola Sturgeon
Today during her first meeting with ministerial colleagues since the election she talked about impact of the general election on Brexit but did not consider the effect on referendum plans.
Asked if Ms Sturgeon's pledge to reflect over a poll had been mentioned during the meeting her spokesman said: "There was no discussion, no.
"There was a discussion of the outcome of the election in relation to Brexit, but no specific discussion of a referendum."
Ms Sturgeon has yet to spell out the delayed "next steps" in her attempt to secure a new vote after Theresa May rejected her request for the Section 30 order needed.
Pressed on whether a referendum bill would be brought before Holyrood ahead the of summer recess and a timetable for Ms Sturgeon to respond the election result her spokesman replied: "I'm not going to outline any position on independence or a referendum because it's for the First Minister to do that, and she has indicated she will do that in due course."
He also insisted securing 35 seats had completed a "triple lock" on the party's demands and reinforced Ms Sturgeon's call for a place at the negotiating table during EU divorce talks.
With the prospect of softer Brexit being raised after Tories lost their Westminster majority, the spokesman added retaining a place in the single market is still "paramount" for the Scottish Government with "a substantial opportunity for alternatives".
But Scottish Tory deputy leader Jackson Carlaw said: "The reality is, until Nicola Sturgeon takes the threat of another referendum off the table, no-one will believe it’s not her priority.
“Separation has been the centrepiece of her personal agenda, and its absence from discussions at Cabinet is evidence of her complete denial on the issue."
Scottish Labour's James Kelly said: "Clearly independence has become the elephant in the room for Nicola Sturgeon.
"We want the Scottish cabinet focused on jobs, schools and hospitals - but it is staggering that SNP ministers did not discuss dropping a referendum given Thursday's result."
Meanwhile, Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie revealed his party's bid for a fresh Holyrood vote on Ms Sturgeon's plans had been blocked by the SNP at the parliament’s business bureau.
He added: "It is arrogant and absurd that the SNP Leader thinks that losing 13 per cent of the vote and 21 MPs, including the former First Minister and deputy leader, is an endorsement of her plans for independence."