A poll carried out amid the row over Westminster stepping in to block reforms of the gender recognition process in Scotland has found a majority in favour of independence.
Research by Find Out Now for The National suggested that 54% backed Scotland leaving the UK, with 46% in favour of remaining. Those were the totals when those who said they did not know were excluded from the research, which was carried out between January 11 and 18.
The poll was conducted after Scottish Secretary Alister Jack took the previously untested step of announcing he would make a Section 35 order to block new gender recognition reform laws from being granted royal assent in Scotland. It suggests a rise in support compared with a previous poll conducted between January 10 and 12 by Survation, that had indicated that 54 per cent of Scottish voters would vote No to independence, excluding undecideds.
