SNP chiefs have launched their early arguments for a second separate vote as a “Referendum for Recovery” whilst marred in the middle of a fraud investigation by police. Police Scotland last week launched an investigation following allegations that ￡600,000 donated to the SNP for Scottish independence campaigning was diverted elsewhere.

       The SNP deny the allegations but a spokesman said they would cooperate with the fraud investigation.

       A new dossier written by the director of the party’s new independence unit claims another referendum on independence is "an issue of basic democracy" after a pro-independence majority was voted in at the Holyrood election.

       Scottish First Minister and party leader Nicola Sturgeon said a vote should take place before the end of 2023 once the Coronavirus pandemic is over.

       But Prime Minister Boris Johnson has ruled out the prospect of a second referendum.

       Independence unit director Michael Russell claims the Prime Minister was "seeking to block the democratic right of the people of Scotland to decide our own future”.

       Setting out the arguments for a vote, he argued Mr Johnson was “changing the whole foundation of the UK” from "a voluntary union based on the idea of partnership” to one of “asserting Westminster control over Scotland.”

       Mr Russell also hinted that independence campaigning would be ramped up ahead the party’s next virtual conference in September as Scotland emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic.

       Mr Russell added: “Our case has to demonstrate a relentless optimism and hope, grounded in the reality that shows how well an independent Scotland could do, freed of the UK union.”

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       Addressing SNP supporters and Yes voters of Scottish independence directly, he added: “This summer, let’s harness all our positive energy into conversations with the undecided. Remember If every one of us convinces at least one No voter, the momentum for independence will speed up again.

       “And again, and again.”

       The dossier was sent to party members this week, has been produced as Scotland’s former Constitution Secretary addressed leaders at the party’s National Executive Committee meeting on Saturday.

       It comes as the party’s own MPs at Westminster claimed the independence message had gone silent in recent weeks.

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       Joanna Cherry claimed the message had “gone awfully quiet on the independence front since the election”.

       The former SNP Justice spokesperson at Westminster added: “The Scottish Government was elected with a mandate to deliver not just a second independence referendum but independence itself.

       “Ultimately a heavyweight of responsibility lies on those who hold the brief for the constitution.

       “I am sure they are mindful of the need to have the arguments required to persuade those not yet convinced of the case for independence.”

       The latest polling undertaken last month revealed support for Scottish independence was four points lower than April prior to the Holyrood elections.

       The Panelbase poll revealed just 48 percent of people would back independence, once ‘don’t knows’ were excluded.

       Meanwhile, backing for the Union stood at 52 percent, again once ‘don’t knows’ were taken out of the equation.

       Panelbase polled 1,287 people between June 21 and 25.