THE SNP have said Douglas Ross has is "Boris Johnson's man in Scotland" after his claims that there will be no second independence referendum as Nicola Sturgeon had signed an “agreement with the UK and Scottish governments that it would be once in a generation”.

The MP – who looks certain to become the next leader of the Scottish Tories this week – also claimed the House of Lords was more democratic than Holyrood.

In an interview with BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland, Ross said: “Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed that [sustained support] has happened when the SNP has not been speaking about separation.

“I don’t want us to focus on the debate we had just six years ago. I want us to focus on the next five years of this parliament.

“I think the majority of Scots want better education for their children and grandchildren, and a health service that is not under investigation . . . good jobs that are well paid and a strong economy.

“Nicola Sturgeon did sign that agreement with the UK and Scottish governments that it would be once in a generation.”

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The SNP said Ross is “trying to rewrite history”, with depute leader Keith Brown saying: “The Scottish Tories under Douglas Ross and Baroness Davidson are same as they ever were.

"And they’ve been caught trying to rewrite history, again. Fact is Douglas Ross is nothing more than Boris Johnson’s man in Scotland – and clearly no-one can trust a word he says.”

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Sturgeon was a signatory to the Edinburgh Agreement, which transferred power from Westminster to Holyrood to ensure the 2014 independence referendum was legally binding and would deliver “a result that everyone will respect”.

It did not preclude or set a time limit on further independence referendums.

READ MORE: FACT CHECK: Claim SNP vowed indyref was 'once in a lifetime' opportunity

Ross added: “I can be a strong independent voice.

“I think people have seen that in my actions, both in my resignation from the Scotland Office and what I have done throughout my career as an MP, MSP and a councillor.”