ONE local MSP has been branded a 'hypocrite' by the First Minister after claims that she is putting constituents at risk over a possible second Scottish independence referendum.

The was of words erupted between local MSP, Oliver Mundell and the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Dumfriesshire MSP Oliver Mundell, who represents residents in Sanquhar, Kirkconnel and Kelloholm, says his constituents are still being left in limbo by Nicola Sturgeon over the possiblity of a second Scottish independence referendum.

However, the First Minister's office has hit back.

Mr Mundell responded to remarks by the First Minister who said that a 'soft Brexit' could potentially see her take the issue of a second referendum off the table in the short-term.

The Dumfriesshire representative says that Nicola Sturgeon is continuing to leave constituents and businesses in complete limbo as she tries to increase support for independence.

Oliver Mundell said: "Nicola Sturgeon has been using Brexit as a reason to try and gain support for her independence dream but the truth is more and more Scots are opposed to another referendum.

"People and businesses in Dumfriesshire wish to have an end to the uncertainty so that they know there is no risk of breaking away from our close friends a matter of miles across the border.

"Instead we have Nicola Sturgeon talking about hypothetical situations rather than taking the threat off the table altogether.

"Voters in Dumfriesshire made it overwhelmingly clear in 2014 that they wished to remain part of the United Kingdom and that needs to be recognised.

"The Scottish Government have tried to use Remain votes as backing for another independence vote, but all that has done is create more uncertainty at a time when stability should be what Nicola Sturgeon should be striving towards."

However, a spokesperson for the First Minister hit back, saying: “This is astonishing hypocrisy from Oliver Mundell – it is his party which is threatening to take Scotland and the rest of the UK’s economy over the cliff edge of a hard Brexit. That would be disastrous for jobs, investment and livelihoods, with potentially up to 80,000 Scottish jobs lost over a decade and earnings around £2,000 a head lower over the same period.

“In those circumstances it is absolutely right that independence should be on the table as an option to protect Scotland from a Tory hard Brexit. But we have made clear, through the paper we published last month, that we are willing to compromise to protect our place in the world’s biggest single market – which is around eight times bigger than the UK’s alone – so the ball is in Theresa May’s court.

“Mr Mundell and his boss Ruth Davidson should stick to their previous pledge to protect Scotland’s single market status, instead of engaging in a shameless sell-out to placate the hard-right Brexiteers now running the Tory party.”

UPDATE

Mr Mundell has since fired back, saying: "I see it as a badge of honour to be described as a hypocrite by the First Minister but I certainly won't be taking any lectures from her over what local people think over the issue of independence.

"People in this area made their feelings clear, not only at the referendum in 2014 but also at the General Election and the Scottish Parliamentary elections about how they feel about independence.

"When will the First Minister start listening to them?"