GETTY Nicola Sturgeon is already planning a second Scottish independence referendum

FREE now SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Make the most of your money by signing up to our newsletter fornow We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.

The First Minister’s promise not to hold a vote in the near future should not be taken at face value, according to Think Scotland. At the same time, the SNP launched a website called mobilise.scot asking for donations and campaign ideas to “help us build the case that decisions made by us - not for us - offer the best future for Scotland". The think tank said the SNP is already planning a second vote, stating: “The independence bus may be parked but the engine is still running.”

They said the Nicola Sturgeon was “gearing up” for another referendum campaign already to the detriment of the country. Think Scotland said: “And just to allay any uncertainty that she has lost faith in its raison d'être, we saw a nod and wink to the Yes movement faithful with the launch of a crowdfunding website to motivate them to push toward another ballot.

Nicola Sturgeon's comical moments on the campaign trail Mon, May 22, 2017 Play slideshow PA 1 of 13 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon stops for an ice cream after making an election campaign visit to Scottish Gas HQ in Granton, Edinburgh

“This is transparently disingenuous to the swathes of voters who abandoned the SNP at the general election, who will have noticed that the party is gearing up for a new referendum.” They argued Ms Sturgeon needed to focus on helping the Scottish economy rather than continue to push for an unsettling referendum.

GETTY Nicola Sturgeon agreed now 'is not the time' for a Scottish independence referendum

Think Scotland said: “[Another referendum is bad for] business leaders whose patience is past breaking point with a government who won't admit that the uncertainty caused by referendum fixation is a huge contribution to Scotland's economic problems.

“The alternative is clear. If the First Minister can't offer sincere assurances to businesses that a disruptive referendum has been put on ice for the long term, investors will continue to look elsewhere and our economy will continue to underperform.

GETTY Think Scotland said Sturgeon had already began prepping for another vote