The SNP has been accused of an "obscene waste" of taxpayers money after damning new data revealed that the party splashed an eye-watering £3.5m on its independence mission.
Pamela Nash, chief executive of Scotland in Union, slammed the SNP for "wasting" money on the party's "divisive campaign".
Analysis of several Freedom of Information requests submitted by campaign group Scotland in Union showed that the SNP's independence mission has cost Scotland £3.44 million since September 2021, when Nicola Sturgeon outlined her Programme for Government after that year’s election.
Nash said: "This is an obscene waste of taxpayers’ money.
The SNP has been accused of an "obscene waste" of taxpayers money
PA
"When the housing budget is being slashed, the NHS is in chaos, and families and businesses alike are desperate for economic growth, diverting public resources to the SNP’s divisive campaign is unforgivable."
She added: "Civil servants and ministers should be focused on what really matters to people.
"In 2024, the SNP must end the spend on its constitutional obsession and govern for all the people of Scotland."
The huge cost included setting up a 'constitutional futures division' of the Scottish Government, including salary costs of £1.39 million last year, involving 25 civil servants at times.
The SNP spent £252,000 on a legal bill for the failed attempt to hold a second referendum, the analysis showed, while more than £150,000 was spent on design, print and translation costs of a series of policy papers on a separate Scotland.
Just under £70,000 was spent on the creation of a Minister for Independence.
Earlier this week, the SNP was accused of having "skewed priorities" after offering an £83,000 salary for someone to head up their new mini-embassy in the US.
The party has nine overseas offices, which are treated like alternative "embassies".
Hitting out at the party, Scottish Conservative external affairs spokesperson Donald Cameron said: "While Scotland’s businesses, taxpayers and public services are reeling from Shona Robison’s disastrous Budget, this lucrative job ad perfectly illustrates the SNP’s skewed priorities.
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"Brutal cuts may have been inflicted on Scotland’s essential services by Ministers but, of course, the SNP still found extra cash for the constitution and external affairs budget to promote their independence obsession.
“The successful applicant for this will not only enjoy a generous salary but will be spared the punitive income tax rates their employer has imposed on Scots.”
