Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay has said he will “stand up to nationalists” in an attempt to block Scottish independence being debated.

Mr Findlay, who was elected as Scottish Conservative leader on Friday, said his MSPs will block debate SNP debates on the future of the union.

It comes after he used his first speech at Conservative Party conference in Birmingham to declare the dream of independence was dead.

He also said he did not want to spend his entire career “only talking about the union”.

Front bench appointments are set to be made by the new Scottish Tory leader this week.

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But he has confirmed to Scottish journalists in Birmingham that the constitution brief will be dropped.

The role of constitution and external affairs spokesman is currently held by Alexander Stewart and sees him go up against Constitution Secretary Angus Robertson to debate issues including independence.

But Mr Findlay said the role will be abolished as he appoints his front bench, instead introducing a shadow housing secretary.

He said: “We are going to change our approach and be stronger in standing up to nationalist attempts to discuss their favourite topic of breaking up the United Kingdom.

“I believe the public want politicians in the Scottish Parliament to spend more time working on pragmatic solutions to the problems in our economy, schools, NHS and all the other issues that they care most about.

“Instead of responding to any more pointless SNP or Green debates on independence, we will respectfully put forward positive policies on the bread and butter issues affecting people’s lives.”

And when an SNP-led Scottish Government debate centres on the topic, he said his party will then try to amend the business motion.

Failing that, they will turn the debate to issues like education and housing in an attempt to block a debate on independence.

Mr Findlay added: “We’re not going to give up the chance to speak in Parliament or engage in the nationalists’ self-indulgent political stunts.

“So every time the SNP try to talk about this divisive obsession, we’ll instead spend that time putting forward our own common sense ideas to change Scotland.

“It’s not the done thing at Holyrood, there may even be pushback and attempts to shut us down when we don’t debate the SNP’s chosen topic, but we’re not going to let the Holyrood establishment dictate what issues get attention.

Herald Political Correspondent @_RebeccaMcCurdy is in Birmingham at Tory conference. We just had a quick chat about the mood of the party and the impact new Scottish boss, Russell Findlay, is making. Get it wherever you get your TikToks. @heraldscotland https://t.co/eyoRcUI9KG

“The socialist parties in the Scottish Parliament can spend time on fringe obsessions if they want, but we will get on with presenting positive new policies to fire up economic growth, create opportunities. For workers and businesses, reward aspiration with lower taxes, improve school standards and increase home ownership.”

He added: “Under my leadership, the Scottish Conservatives will put forward a positive vision for the future of our country that champions the values of mainstream Scotland – opportunity, aspiration and decency.”

SNP MSP Stuart McMillan said: "To say Russell Findlay's judgment is questionable would be an understatement.

"The Scottish Parliament exists to discuss issues that matter to Scotland. Given over 50% of the population support Scottish independence, I would suggest this is one of them."

Scottish Greens constitution spokesperson Patrick Harvie MSP said: “It’s obvious why Mr Finlay is afraid to have the debate, not even he can defend an increasingly unequal, broken and dysfunctional Westminster system.

“Over the last 14 years Scotland has suffered from years of Tory cuts and austerity, a racist anti-migrant agenda, a devastating Brexit deal that we didn’t vote for and now a Labour government that is cutting support for pensioners while sticking to Tory spending plans.

“The Scottish Greens will continue to put forward our case for a progressive independent Scotland where power rests with the people rather than a government we can’t remove, an unelected monarchy, or an archaic House of Lords. 

“The Scotland that we believe in is one with the powers to remove the moral obscenity of Trident nuclear weapons from the Clyde and with all the levers of a normal country to tackle the cost of living crisis and the climate and nature emergencies.”