CABINET Office minister Michael Gove has been mocked for a “desperate” scheme to save the Union involving talks with George Galloway, Jack McConnell and Danny Alexander.

According to a report in The Times, the Tory minister has responded to increasing support for Scottish independence by holding private discussions with his old political rivals.

A source said Gove discussed strategy with former Labour MP Galloway, who is leading the anti-independence Alliance for Unity party into next year’s Holyrood elections.

The controversial figure stood in last year’s General Election, coming sixth in the West Bromwich East seat with less than 500 votes.

READ MORE: Michael Gove teams up with old political rivals in efforts to stop independence

Sources said there had been no “detailed co-ordination” between Gove and Galloway, but it was understood the pair know each other well.

Earlier this week they sparked a row over voting rights when Galloway demanded Scots living across the UK should have a say in a new independence referendum. Gove said it was an “interesting question”.

The Cabinet Office minister was also said to have discussed plans for a UK-wide internal market with former Labour first minister McConnell – these proposals have been called the “biggest power grab yet” on Holyrood by the Constitutional Relations Secretary.

The policy has received fierce criticism from all Scottish Parliament parties besides the Scottish Tories.

News of the Unionist team was widely mocked, with SNP depute leader Keith Brown doubting the capability of those involved in the talks to drastically change views on independence.

Polls in recent weeks have put support for Yes at 53%, 54% and 55%.

Brown said: "He must be really desperate if he hopes to find inspiration from an unelected lord and a LibDem who was Scots Secretary for all of two weeks.

“Mr Gove is already on record as saying ‘it wouldn’t be fair’ to change the franchise rules for a second referendum, and the 2014 vote, based on residency, set the gold standard.”

On Twitter, independence supporters branded the group “Better Together 2.0”. Other politicians joined in with ridiculing the Tory minister.

SNP MP Ronnie Cowan shared a picture of a group of clowns asking if they were the others involved in the talks.

Pete Wishart added: "'George Galloway, Danny Alexander, Jack McConnell'. I never knew that the Union case was in such a dilapidated and threadbare condition.

"They must surely know it's all over for them now ..."

The MP also noted that Gove seemed to have a more prominent role in promoting the Union of late. “For what it’s worth I think Michael Gove will lead the Union case in the next referendum,” he said.

“It can only be him or Ruth and she is just so tarnished and diminished now and he is the UK’s next most prominent Scot. God help them …”