Nicola Sturgeon is to lead a period of soul-searching in the SNP over their independence ambitions after “bitterly disappointing losses” in the general election.
The SNP lost 21 seats in Thursday’s vote – including those held by their biggest Westminster stars in Alex Salmond and the party’s depute leader Angus Robertson.
Speaking in Bute House, the First Minister said they won the election in Scotland, but added it is “an inescapable fact that we also suffered some bitterly disappointing losses last night”.
“I will consider carefully the outcome and listen to what voters were saying,” she said.
“Undoubtedly the issue of an independence referendum was a factor in this election result, but I think there were other factors in this election result as well.
“I will reflect on that and come to a considered judgement.”
The SNP won 35 of the 59 seats in Scotland, with the Tories taking 13, Labour seven and the Lib Dems four.
The Nationalists won 56 seats north of the border in a stunning electoral display in 2015.
Across the UK, the Tories emerged as the largest party but failed to retain the majority they were seeking to boost.
Ms Sturgeon said the Prime Minister had now “lost all authority and credibility”, but stopped short of calling for her resignation.
With the Tories having lost their majority, Ms Sturgeon said the SNP would “work with others, if it is at all possible, to keep the Tories out of government”.
Ms Sturgeon stated: “We’ve always said that we would work in alliance with others to promote progressive policies to build a fairer country.
“We stand ready to play our part in that alliance.”
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, who is about to address journalists in Edinburgh, earlier said the result shows “indyref2 is dead”.
