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In the midst of the SNP’s campaigning, a rift has appeared between current leader Nicola Sturgeon and former chief Alex Salmond. Ms Sturgeon, vocal in her opposition of Brexit, has championed a second vote on Scottish independence, just three years after the first vote which received a resounding ‘No’. After the SNP almost made a clean sweep in the 2015 election, winning 56 out of 59 seats, the leader of the SNP has come out fighting saying she intends to win the election north of the border. But she was clear that the upcoming election was not about independence, downplaying its importance.

GETTY A rift has appeared between current leader Nicola Sturgeon and former chief Alex Salmond

Nicola Sturgeon's most outrageous quotes Sun, April 9, 2017 The nationalist chief always has plenty to say Play slideshow 1 of 10 'Men - the colour of their tie is the most difficult decision they have to make every day'

In recent comments, Mr Salmond has publicly defied Ms Sturgeon, claiming the upcoming election is about independence. He said on the radio Scots “will know that they are voting to support the right of the parliament to decide on the holding of the Scottish referendum”.

GETTY In recent comments Mr Salmond has publicly defied Ms Sturgeon

Specifically referring to the SNP leader, he added: “She's looking to get another election victory which will indicate and support the right of the parliament to decide these things.” His comments have put him on a direct collision course with Ms Sturgeon, and they come as it was revealed support for a second referendum had dropped to just 40 per cent. Ms Sturgeon said only a few days ago that “this election is not deciding whether or not Scotland is independent”.

And commenting on the fiasco, Ms Davidson lashed into her rivals. She said: "This has been the SNP's week of chaos. "First Nicola Sturgeon made a laughing stock of herself by claiming her campaign had nothing to do with independence. She was forced into a U-turn after Alex Salmond popped up to say that's all it's about.

GETTY Ms Davidson also criticised the SNP over the party’s approach to the Common Fisheries Policy

This has been the SNP's week of chaos Ruth Davidson

"Two SNP MPs signed a pledge to leave the EU's failed Common Fisheries Policy - just after Angus Robertson declared he wanted Scotland to stay in. "The SNP failed to clear up its position on Europe and still can't say whether it wants an independent Scotland to become a full member of the EU.

GETTY Ms Sturgeon was clear that the upcoming election was not about independence