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The First Minister has stated the parameters of the initial independence referendum have now changed due to Brexit. Although 55 percent voted to remain part of the UK in 2014 in the independence referendum, 62 percent in Scotland voted to remain in the EU. With that in mind, Ms Sturgeon has insisted a new referendum must now be held despite Boris Johnson refusing her request earlier this year.

Speaking to Express.co.uk, former Brexit Party MEP for London, Ben Habib warned the First Minister would be taking the country onto a “sinking ship” if Scotland joined the “absurd” European Union.

With the coronavirus crisis set to savage economies, Mr Habib insisted the First Minister “must wake up” and realise the support of the UK

He said: “I think the whole coronavirus crisis has really shown how absurd it would be to be part of the European Union.

“You’ve got European Union member states unable to gain aid.

“Scotland actually has had a protective blanket put round it by the United Kingdom.

“We’re standing absolutely firm behind Scotland in a way the European Union never has and the Scots need to wake up and smell the coffee.

“Nicola Sturgeon needs to really look at the EU behaviour towards its member states before she jumps out of this huge protective blanket.

“Scotland joining the European Union after this virus is knowingly turning their back on a great ship and jumping onto a sinking one.”

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While Italy and Spain struggled to contain the virus in the early stages, Brussels was criticised over its lack of flexibility to support both states.

Italy has reported 32,486 deaths while Spain has registered 27,888 at the time of writing.

In order to try and give countries instant liquidity to help soften the blow, the European Stability Mechanism was triggered and will be part of a €540billion (£483billion) package.

On top of the fiscal stability package, Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron both championed a €500billion (£447billion) recovery fund.

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The latest package would be in the form of loans and will also be on top of the new EU budget which his estimated to be between €1-2trillion.

While both Spain and Italy have hailed the budget which Ms Merkel termed as crucial, some of the more frugal contributors to the EU have signalled their fear over the mounting debt.

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said: “Our position remains unchanged.

“We are ready to help the most affected countries with loans.

“We expect the updated Multiannual Financial Framework to reflect the new priorities rather than raising the ceiling.”

In combination with the inflated debt, the EU’s GDP is expected to drop to historic levels.

The European Commission reported the economy is predicted to shrink by 7.5 percent in 2020.

That would represent a more crippling economic contraction than the 200 financial crash which stood at 4.5 percent.

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