A former SNP leader has warned the Scottish Government that holding a second independence referendum before tackling Scotland's £14.9billion deficit is a "waste of time".

Gordon Wilson, who led the SNP for 11 years, said that the party should not hold a second vote on independence until the size of Scotland's deficit is "trimmed down to the size a small country would want".

The Scottish Government published its draft bill and legislation for a second referendum last week, indicating that a vote could be held in spring 2018 if Brexit negotiations fail to protect Scotland's interests.

Read more: Theresa May warned imposing Brexit settlement on Scotland could break up Britain

Mr Wilson told BBC Radio Scotland: "Nicola Sturgeon has to talk tough in order to try to get some increased influence over events. That's perfectly appropriate but the difficulty she has is that in talking tough she might end up with a referendum before she wants one.

"My main criticism of the SNP at this time is that the party are putting the case for a referendum when they should be putting the case for independence."

Nicola Sturgeon unveiled the SNP's new draft bill for a second referendum on Thursday.

Read more: Theresa May warned imposing Brexit settlement on Scotland could break up Britain

In the draft legislation, the First Minister stated that the Brexit vote in June had caused a ‘significant and material change’ in Scotland’s circumstances and had given the Scottish Government a ‘clear mandate’ for a second referendum.

She has said that she will explore all avenues to keep Scotland in the EU and previously claimed that it was ‘inconceivable’ that Ms May could try and block a new vote on independence.

However, hours after publishing the new draft bill, Prime Minister Theresa May told the Scottish Government that it had "no mandate" for a second vote.

Read more: Theresa May warned imposing Brexit settlement on Scotland could break up Britain

When asked if Westminster would reject the Scottish Government's call for a second referendum, the spokesperson said: "There has not been a call."

Draft legislation published by the Scottish Government last week made it clear that Westminster would need to issue a section 30 order to temporarily transfer the control to Holyrood for the vote to go ahead.

The SNP has told Westminster that the option to hold a second referendum "must be on the table" following the Brexit vote.