Chaos as Scottish Greens demand First Minister John Swinney keeps pumping taxpayers money into failed independence fight as the price of party's support for SNP Budget

Scotland has been thrown into fresh Budget chaos after the Greens threatened to veto the SNPs financial plans if John Swinney stops throwing taxpayers cash at the independence movement.

The Scottish Greens' finance spokesman Ross Greer today warned the party would find it 'impossible' to support the SNP if it reduced the already 'modest sum' it spends on trying to break up the UK.

It came after Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said his party, which has four MPs, would not help get the December 4 Budget over the line without independence spending being removed.

The SNP is the largest party at Holyrood but lacks an outright majority by just two seats, meaning it needs support from another party to get its plans over the line.

It had a deal with the Greens, who have seven MSPs, but it collapsed under previous FM Humza Yousaf.

Mr Greeer today said: 'The Lib Dems have at least entered the discussion this year and although their priorities are different to our own, we think this important debate is better off with a diverse range of proposals on the table.

'However, we would be deeply concerned if a pro-independence government axes entirely the already incredibly modest sum spent on independence preparations. If the SNP makes that choice, Green MSPs would find it impossible to support their budget.'

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'With a Labour government at Westminster continuing with cruel Tory policies like the two child benefit cap, supplying arms to Israel 's genocidal assault on Gaza and refusing closer relations with the EU, it is vital that the Scottish Government continues to build a detailed and inspiring case for independence.

'The SNP must categorically rule out this cut. Conceding on this point would not only rule out the Scottish Greens' voting for their budget proposals, it would destroy the wider independence movement's trust in the Scottish Government.

'The Yes movement can always rely on the Scottish Greens' support. I hope that the SNP is able to quickly reassure us all that the government's work towards our shared goal of an independent Scotland at the heart of the European Union will continue.'

Last week Mr Cole-Hamilton set out the red lines for his party's support for the SNP Budget, telling the Herald that the party's defenestration at the hands of voters at the general election showed there was no appetite for independence.

The SNP was reduced to a rump of nine MPs at Westminster, down from 48 elected in 2019.

Mr Cole Hamilton bluntly said: 'The public rendered a judgment of the SNP on the 4th of July that they are not willing to put up with the division caused by independence and as such there shouldn't be any spending or parliamentary time on the constitution in any way.'