Michael Gove has revealed that he believes Brexit has strengthened unionism and forced the “nationalist threat” from the SNP into retreat.
Speaking at a Policy Exchange conference, the environment secretary said his assertion was clear given the SNP losses at the last Westminster General Election.
He said: “Brexit has so far strengthened unionist currents in our politics, not weakened them,” he said. “I don’t think there is support for a second independence referendum.
“One of the lessons of the last two years is the SNP’s promising, threatening, holding up the prospect of another referendum has actually been damaging, both to their support in Scotland but also to their capacity to govern effectively.”
When asked what he thought the prospects were of another referendum, Mr Gove said “I would bet against it”.
However, Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson appeared to disagree with Mr Gove, telling delegates “more unionism” was required to challenge the push for another independence referendum. She also suggested that a new fisheries ministry should be set up in Peterhead.
“We must be careful that Brexit does not hurt support for the union,” she said. “We have had more devolution – now we need more union, because we remain far too London-centric.
“On Brexit, we know huge new powers will be repatriated to these shores.
“Should our newly-empowered fisheries industry be run from London? Shouldn’t it instead be based in Peterhead?”
And Conservative Banff and Buchan MP David Duguid, welcomed the call, arguing that the proposed fisheries ministry would complement the newly opened UK Oil and Gas Authority in Aberdeen.
“I agree that the UK Government should be less London-centric and would welcome any increase in the civil service footprint in the north-east,” he said.
“Peterhead is the UK’s biggest white fish and pelagic fishing port. If a fisheries ministry were to be established in the north-east post-Brexit, that would send out a very strong signal indeed.
“I am sure any such proposal would have the full support of my constituents in Banff and Buchan.”
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford dismissed Mr Gove’s Brexit claims as “extraordinary” and described his comments as flying in the face of reality.
The Ross, Skye and Lochaber MP stressed that Brexit instead strengthened the case for the independence movement.
He said: “Brexit undermines the UK because there is a real economic threat to the people of Scotland being taken out of the single market and customs union, which we are absolutely determined to try and stop.
“We need to make sure Brexit runs it course but we have a mandate for a second independence referendum and one can be called if the circumstances necessitate it.”