THE Scottish Tories have been accused of making “complete fools of themselves” after using a six-year-old quote about wifi at railway stations to attack the SNP over independence.

The SNP said Ruth Davidson’s party was becoming “hysterical”.

It followed the Scottish Tories issuing a press release attacking SNP depute leader Keith Brown after he denied saying independence was a once-in-a-generation vote.

He told Sky News: “It wasn’t something I’ve ever said.”

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The Tories then unearthed a quote from Mr Brown before the 2014 referendum in which he said: “The eyes of the world will be on Scotland and we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase what we have to offer as a modern country.”

Tory MSP Adam Tomkins said: “Keith Brown needs to get his story straight on another independence referendum.

“This exposes the deceit that runs right from the top of the SNP down.

“Before the referendum, they were all happy to say it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“After a convincing defeat, they immediately rowed back, to the point where Keith Brown’s now denying having ever said it at all. Voters will see right through this dishonesty.”

However, the source the Tories supplied for the quote showed it came from a BBC story in May 2013 about free wi-fi at 25 of Scotland’s busiest railway stations.

The context was the country gearing up for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, whose station was also to get free wifi.

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Mr Brown’s full quote was "In 2014, the eyes of the world will be on Scotland and we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase what we have to offer as a modern country.

"I am pleased that in advance of the major events taking place in 2014, visitors flying into Prestwick and Glasgow International airports, who then join the rail network, will be able to get access to wifi on every train. Combined with the station enhancements, this will help keep Scotland's railways at the forefront of wifi installation."

Although Mr Brown was speaking just two months after Alex Salmond announced the date of the independence referendum, he did not mention the topic in his statement.

The same story included a quote from then ScotRail managing director Steve Montgomery saying: “We considered several factors when selecting stations to receive wifi, including footfall, how long people stay in the station, number of services and the impact of major events, such as the Commonwealth Games and Ryder Cup.”

The Courier newspaper reported it as “Stations and trains to get free wifi as part of Ryder Cup preparations”.

You couldn’t make this up! But the Tories just did. After Bluster from Boris and Mince from Miles Briggs yesterday, we have this Absolute Tosh from Adam Tomkins today. Tories in full panic mode. https://t.co/LPuQS6Orpv — Keith Brown MSP (@KeithBrownSNP) July 30, 2019

Responding to the Tory attack, Mr Brown said: "The Tories are now so panicked by the growing support for independence that they're making complete fools of themselves.

"They're reduced to dredging up six-year-old quotes about WiFi on trains during the Ryder Cup to justify denying Scotland's democratic right to choose our own future.

"This hysterical attack has backfired in spectacular style, and Adam Tomkins is clearly overdue a lie down in a darkened room. If anything, this diatribe exposes the deceit and dishonesty of the Tories - they’re the ones who should apologise.”