THE SNP has accused the Scottish Conservatives of “gross hypocrisy” for considering becoming independent from the UK party while trying to block Scotland from becoming independent.

Glasgow Tory MSP Adam Tomkins has said is time for the Scottish party to look again at its relationship with the UK party, and that he expected the issue to be a central part of leadership contest in the wake of Ruth Davidson’s resignation.

Splitting the two parties was proposed by Murdo Fraser when he stood for the leadership in 2011, but it was opposed by his rival Davidson who went onto win the contest.

Now, according to a report in The Times yesterday it is understood a commission will look at four options: maintaining the existing structure; changing the name of the party in Scotland but keeping broadly the same links; two separate parties with a coalition agreement at Westminster; and an arrangement where one party stands for the Scottish parliament and the other for the Commons.

It is also likely that a contest to replace Davidson may be postponed until the UK has left the European Union and after a possible autumn general election.

Earlier this year The National revealed that internal discussions had resumed among the Scottish Tories about becoming independent from the UK party amid concerns that if Boris Johnson became PM it would prove toxic to the party’s fortunes in Scotland.

Last night SNP Depute Leader Keith Brown said: “This is gross hypocrisy from the Tories, who are now demanding independence from their Westminster bosses at the same time as trying to block the people of Scotland being given a say on their future.

“Boris Johnson’s government is too toxic for Ruth Davidson – and now it seems is too extreme for the Scottish Tories as a whole.”

He added: “But however they try to dress this up, the Scottish Tories cannot escape the enormous double standard in wanting independence from Westminster while simultaneously trying to deny Scotland that democratic choice.

“The Scottish Tories are in deep trouble, and the people of Scotland will see straight through their feeble and cowardly attempts to justify the completely undemocratic actions of Boris Johnson in trying to shut down Parliament.

“And even if they do split from their UK bosses, no one would be fooled – they would still be taking their orders from Westminster and lining up beside Boris Johnson in any election.

“Whatever they do, there is nothing the Scottish Tories can do to halt the rising tide of support for independence, and for a referendum being held.”

In March this year The National revealed that discussions were underway about breaking away from the UK party if Johnson became Prime Minister.

“Certainly if Boris became Prime Minister there would be a lot of discussions in the Scottish party about what it would mean for us. I wouldn’t rule anything out,” one senior figure told us.

David Mundell has previously been a major critic of the idea, but there was speculation he would be ready to change his mind if Johnson became Prime Minister. The Scottish Secretary was sacked by Johnson in July.

“David’s view on a separate party would be very significant,” the source added.

Fraser put forward proposals for a separate Scottish Tory party in his leadership bid against Davidson.

A poll commissioned by Conservative Home at the time suggested that developing a more distinct identity, with different policies from the rest of the UK Conservative Party could boost the party – and help it appeal to younger Scots.

The survey of 1030 Scottish voters found that 33% thought that the change would have a positive effect while 20% thought it would have a negative effect. People aged 18 to 24 years old were most positive; by 43% to 15%. 40% of all Scots think the change would make no difference.

Under Fraser’s 2011 plan the Scottish Tories would register as a new party, completing a legal process involving a change to its constitution and the adoption of a new set of rules. A majority of Scottish MPs and MSPs would have to back it and the proposal would also have to be endorsed by the grassroots.

“Murdo’s Way Forward plan wasn’t a goer in 2011, but it depends what happens now. There were people who were sceptical then, who might be more open to it in the event we ended up with someone like Boris as Prime Minister,” said the insider in March.

There was no love lost between Davidson and Johnson. She savaged her opponent in an article for a tabloid newspaper, arguing a Leave Vote would be “a conscious decision to make Britain poorer” which “would hurt the poorest the most”.