THERE is an ever-louder narrative from some politicians, businesses, and members of the public, particularly those who voted for Brexit, that the reinvigorated debate over independence since June 23 is dragging Scotland down.

They argue ad nauseam that the prospect of a second independence referendum, a poll that First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said is “highly likely” following the Brexit vote, is creating uncertainty and thus weighing on Scotland’s economy.

Given this growing narrative, it was very interesting this week to hear the Governor of the Bank of England emphasise that the principal uncertainty facing individuals and businesses related to the changes and challenges in the wake of the UK electorate’s vote to leave the European Union. Mark Carney underlined this point in an exclusive interview with The Herald in Edinburgh on Tuesday.

Read More: Bank of England Governor Mark Carney: Brexit uncertainty slowing down Scots economy

Asked whether he had seen, or expected there to be, an impact on the economy from the heightened constitutional debate in Scotland in the wake of the Brexit vote, Mr Carney replied: “At this stage, there is a common issue across the regions, across home nations, across sectors of the economy, where individuals and businesses are coming to terms with the potential changing nature of the relationship with Europe and the changes and challenges that brings.

“That is the principal uncertainty people are addressing. It is still early days in that adjustment.”

This is most unlikely to be music to the ears of those more strident Brexit supporters who believe that nothing bad can happen as a result of the vote, and would like to point the finger of blame for any economic fall-out at the renewed independence debate.

Mr Carney highlighted a slowing of the economy in Scotland as businesses assessed what the Brexit vote meant for their investments, emphasising this mirrored the situation across the UK.

Commenting on the UK position, while seeing “positive long-term prospects”, he highlighted “a period of uncertainty and adjustment”. And he observed a “softening in business investment, a softening in the real estate market”.

He added: “We had expected in August that the economy would slow materially during the second half of this year, relative to relatively strong growth in the first half of this year. Broad brush, that is what we are seeing.”

These observations may not please the more determined Brexiters either.

Read More: No end in sight for North Sea oil gloom, says Bank of England Governor Mark Carney

For all the jingoistic talk from the likes of International Trade Secretary Liam Fox, it has surely been another disappointing week for the Brexiters north of the Border, where they are in the minority, and in the UK as a whole.

A survey published this week by Royal Bank of Scotland, conducted by Strathclyde University’s Fraser of Allander Institute, showed Scottish firms’ overall exports continued to fall in the three months to August in spite of the pound’s weakness following the Brexit vote.

The survey showed nearly 40 per cent of firms saw costs rise in the three months to August, which Royal Bank noted could reflect the weak pound.

Professor Graeme Roy, director of the Fraser of Allander Institute, warned: “The ongoing weakness in exporting and the apparent rise in business costs is a cause for concern.”

It is a big worry if the dramatic fall in the pound, which should make Scottish exporters significantly more competitive overseas, is not boosting exports but is ramping up costs because firms are having to pay much more in sterling terms for imported materials.

Dr Fox kept up the pro-Brexit, Mighty Blighty-style rhetoric yesterday, declaring the UK had a “golden opportunity to forge a new role” for itself in the world, “one which puts the British people first”.

He even referred to “the post-geography trading world”. What on earth is that supposed to mean?

His speech did nothing to dispel the notion there is much hot air and little in the way of a plan for post-Brexit Britain.

Far more interesting than Dr Fox’s speech was former Conservative Chancellor Kenneth Clarke’s comment to the New Statesman that “nobody in the Government has the first idea of what they’re going to do next on the Brexit front”.

Also of far more substance than Dr Fox’s tub-thumping address was what seemed like a perfectly reasonable request - albeit one that may be difficult for Prime Minister Theresa May’s Government to deliver - from Nissan chief executive Carlos Ghosn.

Mr Ghosn is asking for the Government to pledge to pay compensation for any eventual tax barriers imposed as a result of Brexit in terms of exports to mainland Europe if the Japanese car giant commits to a new investment in the UK’s biggest car plant, at Sunderland.

Returning to Mr Carney and the situation in Scotland, the Bank Governor, while seemingly determined to avoid being drawn into the renewed debate over independence, warned the “challenging environment” in the North Sea “may persist for some time”.

And, highlighting the impact of North Sea weakness on the broader Scottish economy, he said: “It is having a multiplier impact.”

This impact on the Scottish economy is very real, as is the Brexit vote effect.

However, at this juncture, there is little if any evidence that the renewed Scottish independence debate is having any material impact on the economy.

It is important to realise this. After all, in the current difficult environment, it is crucial to focus on substance.

We must not be fooled by vainglorious proclamations about the UK’s place in the world from Dr Fox, or loud but seemingly baseless claims that it is uncertainty over independence, rather than the Brexit vote, that is weighing on the Scottish economy.