SNP DEPUTE leader Keith Brown has claimed the “abject failure” of the “Westminster establishment” over the last year has boosted the case for Scottish independence.

But the comments from the party’s number two came as bookies suggested a snap Holyrood election was now more likely in 2019 than indyref2.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has long promised to update the country on the timing of a second vote on Scottish independence when the “fog” of Brexit has cleared.

Most recently she has suggested that update will come in the new year. With Theresa May’s Brexit Bill unlikely to get through Parliament when it comes in front of MPs next month, it may be some time before the SNP leader has the clarity she seeks.

In an end of year address, Brown said Scotland and its Parliament had been “sidelined” by the UK Government over Brexit.

He said May’s deal, as it stands, would give Northern Ireland a major competitive advantage over Scotland.

The MSP also accused the Tory Government of attacking devolution, and criticised their costly legal opposition to Holyrood’s Brexit continuity bill, and the cross-party attempt to establish whether the UK can revoke Article 50.

The Tories accused Brown of using Brexit to “agitate for independence”.

Brown said: “The past year has been eye-opening – with the dysfunctional, self-serving and childish approach of the Westminster establishment on full view as never before.

“Scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU, and our voice and interests have been side-lined from day one.

“The contrast with independent Ireland – who have received overwhelming support and solidarity from other EU nations – has been startling.”

Brown also criticised Labour over their position on Brexit.

“While we would welcome an early General Election, the sad fact is Labour have been just as divided and opportunistic over Brexit as the Tories have,” he said.

“Only independence will put Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands – rather than being stuck with a failing Westminster.”

A spokesman for the Scottish Tories said: “From the very start the SNP has used Brexit to agitate for independence – and this once again proves it.

“The SNP need to accept that Scots voted no, and they meant it.”

LibDem MP Christine Jardine said Brown needed to find a better use for his time: “The nationalists appear to have learned absolutely nothing from Brexit.

“Leaving a successful economic and political union is bad news.

“All the SNP have achieved in the past 12 months is the publication of a Growth Commission report which admits that independence would put public services at risk.

“Keith Brown’s time would be better spent fixing his Government’s neglectful approach to health and education.”

Meanwhile, Ladbrokes said the odds of a second independence referendum next year were now at 6/1, while the possibility of a snap Holyrood election was at 5/1.

But the bookie suggested those options were outside possibilities, with the prospect of a snap General Election at 6/4 and the UK crashing out of the the EU with no deal at 4/1.