Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has insisted Nicola Sturgeon heart is not in the fight for another independence referendum.
The Edinburgh Western MSP has vowed to fight "tooth and nail" to stop a second referendum and did not rule out teaming up with other political parties against another vote.
That could see him partner with fellow pro-union parties such as Labour or the Conservatives.
During the 2014 referendum David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg teamed up to develop a pro-union strategy in a bid to save the Union.
The Scottish Government plans to stage a second referendum on independence on October 19, 2023, depending on the outcome of a Supreme Court ruling on the legality of the vote.
It has been opposed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has said a Section 30 order, which would grant the powers to hold a referendum, would be refused.
Cole-Hamilton said: "First of all I hope there's not going to be a referendum. I will fight tooth and nail to stop it happening because it gets in the way.
"I will always make the case for Scotland's positive future in a reformed United Kingdom.
"I recognise there are problems with the status quo but we don't solve those problems by getting rid of that union.
"Of course I'll stand shoulder to shoulder, as I have done particularly with people like Mr (Anas) Sarwar and the Labour Party, to make a strong case for a more positive vision in a reformed United Kingdom."
He also took aim at the First Minister's reasons for announcing her plans for another referendum.
He said: "We need our Government to focus on the issues that matter to people. I don't even think Nicola Sturgeon's heart is really in this anymore.
"She's announced this plan as red meat to her base to keep everybody marching."
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