Scotland Minister: 'There is no mood for second independence referendum'

Scottish Secretary David Mundell said that people do not want a second independence referendum describing it as a "toxic and divisive issue".

His comments come as Theresa May prepares to meet First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in Edinburgh to persuade Scotland that there is nothing to fear in a post-Brexit United Kingdom.

Immediately after becoming Prime Minister, May stressed her desire to keep the UK together in the wake of the EU referendum result.

Speaking ahead of her visit, May said: "I believe with all my heart in the United Kingdom - the precious bond between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This visit to Scotland is my first as Prime Minister and I'm coming here to show my commitment to preserving this special union that has endured for centuries."

But Sturgeon has warned that a possible Brexit backlash makes a second referendum on independence "highly likely".

Speaking to the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, Mundell said:

Scotland voted 62% to 38% to remain in the EU on June 23.

Mundell said ministers want the Scottish government to be "very much involved" in Brexit negotiations but said it was difficult to envisage the EU accepting a deal that kept Scotland in both unions.

Stephen Gethins, pictured with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, said the UK government is sending mixed messages. Credit: PA

SNP's Europe spokesman, Stephen Gethins accused the government of sending "mixed messages" by urging the First Minister to pursue a deal that new Chancellor Philip Hammond appeared to have ruled out.

On Thursday, Hammond said "the best future for Scotland is inside the United Kingdom... outside the European Union".

Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme, Gethins said:

Mundell told the same programme that he and the Chancellor are "singing from the same hymn sheet" but said any deal that maintained both UK and EU membership is "fanciful".

He added: "I think it's very difficult to envisage circumstances where the EU would sign up to part of the UK remaining in the EU whilst the rest of the UK left it."