AN SNP MP has accused his party of having “gone to sleep” on the issue of Scottish independence amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Former finance secretary Kenny MacAskill said it was time party bosses “woke up” as polls show support for independence rising. At the weekend a Panelbase survey found Scots back Yes by 54%, the highest level since 2015.

Official campaigning for indyref2 was put on hold in March as the coronavirus outbreak began to take hold in the UK, and the Scottish Government paused its planning for a vote. However following Brexit negotiation chaos at Westminster, Constitutional Relations Secretary Mike Russell has suggested it’s now time to take a look at that particular compromise.

MacAskill said while traditional campaigning methods weren’t possible due to lockdown restrictions, planning for an independent Scotland should continue.

READ MORE: Support for Yes up as middle classes switch from No side

He told the Daily Record: "I can understand why the First Minister and the health minister have been otherwise engaged.

"But this isn't about the Government - the Government has a job to do managing the country - this is about the position of the Scottish National Party. And questions have to be asked about what's going on there.

"Getting the party in gear is something that should be done. I think the party has gone to sleep for a few months and I think it's about time whoever is in charge woke it up and got it working.

"The work on independence should be getting done. Campaigning is difficult because of social distancing and the world which we face. Anyone involved in politics is going to have change how we work in the post-Covid world."

The MP also called for a new economic plan for independence to be put together – saying the pandemic had made aspects of the Growth Commission “redundant”.

READ MORE: Scotland needs more powers to tackle coronavirus crisis, report says

He added that yesterday’s report by Scottish Government advisers on Scotland’s post-Covid economic recovery required “deeper work”.

MacAskill warned of the consequences of not taking action, telling the newspaper: "We have a government delivering Brexit against the wishes of the people of Scotland. It shows Scotland faces a bleak future within the Union.

"We would like [support] to be higher but we are where we are. But you have to remember there has been no campaign for it. For three months, if not beyond, tools have been downed on the Yes side. Meanwhile, the little-Englanders and the Brexiteers have unashamedly continued.

"This isn't just one poll. This is a trajectory. It's about raising the campaign image and being intent on delivering a referendum."