NICOLA Sturgeon has denied putting independence ahead of the climate at COP26 after coming under fire for SNP newspaper adverts that linked the two issues.
The First Minister flatly rejected criticism of her role in party political adverts aimed at world leaders in Glasgow that called Scotland “a nation in waiting”.
They also described Scotland as “not yet an independent nation”.
The First Minister claimed they had merely been "welcoming people to Scotland".
Opposition parties said they struck the wrong tone and urged the SNP to withdraw them.
The Tories and Liberal Democrats said the SNP’s had been compelled by its “obsession” with independence to link it to a conference about the future of humanity.
The ads were paid for by the party, rather than the Scottish Government.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon slated over adverts linking independence to COP26
Speaking to the media after launching an agreement on making gender equality a key part of efforts to tackle climate change, Ms Sturgeon was asked about the controversial adverts.
Asked if she accepted any of the opposition criticism that she had made this conference about independence, she replied bluntly: “No, I don’t.”
Asked if the opening day of COP26 had been the right day to launch a campaign on independence, she said: “We didn’t launch a campaign.
“We had adverts in a couple of newspapers welcoming people to Scotland. I think there is a difference.
“This conference is about climate change, and I don’t think anybody hearing or listening or speaking to me over the course of yesterday and today would think I’m focused on anything other than that.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: "No wonder Nicola Sturgeon is under pressure over her propaganda push.
"The focus of COP26 should be on saving the planet, so it's disappointing to see the First Minister exploiting Scotland's place on the global stage to push her divisive agenda.
"Rather than focus on independence, the First Minister should explain why she ordered her MSPs to back plans for 75,000 more internal flights in their support for a third runway at Heathrow.
"That's completely incompatible with efforts to fight the climate emergency.
"Her coalition with the Greens is nothing but a gimmick to push for another referendum on leaving the UK."
The SNP said it was “proud to be delivering global leadership on tackling the climate emergency”, adding: “We'll leave others to snipe from the sidelines.”
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