Scottish Secretary David Mundell last night criticised Nicola Sturgeon for raising the prospect of a second independence referendum within hours of the vote for Brexit.
The Tory frontbencher urged the SNP leader to focus on the “legitimate concerns” people have about Scotland’s position in Europe.
He told the Press and Journal he was disappointed the issue was given so much prominence in her remarks.
Ms Sturgeon said at a press conference in Edinburgh another referendum was “on the table”, adding later she thought one “highly likely”.
Mr Mundell went on: “I think it’s very disappointing that within hours of the EU referendum we are having the first minister and the SNP talk about another independence referendum.
“There are legitimate concerns about Scotland’s position in Europe. I want to engage directly with the Scottish Government.”
He insisted the UK Government was committed to putting the Scottish Government at the heart of the negotiation process with the EU.
David Cameron and Ms Sturgeon are understood to have discussed exactly that when they spoke yesterday morning.
Mr Mundell and the SNP’s Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, also met to talk about the situation.
He continued: “That’s want the people of Scotland would want. I don’t think within days of the outcome they want to be plunged into discussions about a second independence referendum.
“I’m disappointed that was given so much prominence in Nicola Sturgeon’s remarks.”
Scotland’s only Tory MP, who campaigned for Remain, also spoke of his disappointment at the result, but added: “The people made their choice and you have to respect that.
“I think it’s clear people felt the EU was a distant institution with which they had little emotional connection.”
Paying tribute to Mr Cameron, who announced yesterday he is stepping down, he said: “The prime minister has always put country before self. Having put forward as strong a case as he did, when people decided to reject it, it was only right that he stood down.”
Mr Mundell, who supported his campaign for Tory leader in 2005, hailed his “tremendous service”, adding: “He has brought our economy back from the brink.”
Asked if he thought the PM would regret calling the referendum in the first place, he replied: “He’s a man of his word. He gave a commitment and he delivered it.”
Mr Mundell confirmed he would not be putting himself forward in the forthcoming leadership contest.
He said he would be looking to back someone who is “able to govern for Scotland and the whole of the UK”.
