John Swinney said independence remains key

The Sunday Herald newspaper claimed there were moves within the SNP to change to an "independence within Britain" stance.

The paper said it could see a virtual abandonment of the core policy of an independent Scotland.

But speaking to Radio Scotland's Eye to Eye programme, John Swinney categorically denied it was a possibility.

"I joined the SNP at the age of 15, I've devoted my adult life to the winning of Scottish independence," he said.

"I am not going to change the SNP's fundamental direction towards Scottish independence.

"I believe in independence, I believe independence is the only way in which our parliament will have the powers to deliver a prosperous economy, to get people out of poverty, to guarantee that we have a safe and secure environment, that we have a place for Scotland within the world."

Fundamentalism

However, Strathclyde University Politics Professor John Curtice said the Nationalists do face strategic choices.

"One of the things that emerged during the campaign is that the SNP has still failed to convince people in Scotland that independence would be to their economic benefit," he said.

"I think until that is done fundamentalism has got a problem.

"The alternative is to say that they are going to be the party to deliver a strong Scottish Parliament within the United Kingdom."

John Swinney met with his new team of MSPs on Saturday to discuss how the party progresses from a disappointing return of eight less MSPs than in the 1999 election.