A spat between the SNP and a prominent group of independence activists has erupted after the party announced a date for its delayed convention.
All Under One Banner (AUOB) hit out after it was revealed that Nationalists will meet in Dundee on June 24 - the same day as a planned indy march in Stirling.
The convention was announced by Humza Yousaf as a way of developing a new strategy for delivering independence.
The delayed conference was originally due to be held in March but was postponed following the shock resignation of Nicola Sturgeon.
It comes after Jamie Hepburn, the newly appointed minister for independence, angered some activists after he said ending the Union would not be achieved by "marching and rallying alone".
AUOB regularly organises marches in Scottish cities but no Scottish Government minister attended the most recent event in Glasgow.
In a tweet, the group said: "We wrote to Humza inviting him to speak at Stirling 24 June, and received a weird reply – swiftly followed by news that he’s chosen to clash with the national demonstration by holding an SNP conference on the same day.
"Why? Reactionary and contemptuous. De facto anti-YES behaviour.”
Keith Brown, the SNP depute leader, said: "I think it’s unfortunate when parts of the Yes movement have that kind of go at each other, to be honest.
"I’ve attended any number of AUOB marches, have spoken at many of them indeed, and in this case this is the last week before the summer recess, this is the date which the SNP need to have its discussion on.”
Brown added there should be “different activities” held across the Yes movement.
"There’s nothing wrong with the SNP, its members, demanding and having the opportunity to discuss a strategy for the way forward for independence and the next Westminster election," he said.
He insisted the SNP was “perfectly entitled” to discuss its strategy on independence: "We’re not going to achieve independence without a wider Yes movement, just as the wider Yes movement won’t achieve it without the SNP.”
Jamie Hepburn said yesterday the use of the next general election as a “de facto referendum” will remain on the table as members meet in Dundee to plan the way forward.
Brown said: "That has to be put to the UK Government, why do they want to deny democracy?”
He added: “It’s the UK Government that is acting peculiarly, wrongly and in my view like a rogue state.
“We are trying to find a democratic route through to express the democratic wishes of the people of Scotland, as they’ve endorsed in repeated elections.”
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