Scotland’ is in decline because of SNP’s independence obsession, says Gove

Devastating focus on separatism means public services have been run down, minister tells Tory activists in Aberdeen

Michael Gove has accused the Scottish National party government of running down Scotland because of its devastating" obsession with independence, as he tried to rally Conservative activists in Aberdeen.

Gove, an Aberdonian who is now the most prominent Scot in the UK government, said Scotland's institutions had been neglected by the SNP because it had focused so heavily on the constitution at the expense of public services.