A new poll carried out by Survation, on behalf of Progress Scotland, has found that 61% believe the Scottish Parliament should decide on the holding of a future Scottish independence referendum.

39% of the 1,019 respondents believed that such a decision should be taken by Westminster instead.

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The poll was conducted by Survation for polling and research think-tank Progress Scotland from 20-22nd January 2020 with a sample of 1,019 respondents in Scotland.

Respondents were also asked if a pro-independence majority is elected to the Scottish Parliament in the 2021 Holyrood election - should the Scottish Parliament should or should not have the power to decide when a future independence referendum is held. 58% said that in such a case Holyrood should have the power, while 42% believe Westminster should.

Progress Scotland Managing Director Angus Robertson said: “There is a strong majority amongst voters in Scotland that it should be the Scottish Parliament that decides on the future holding of an independence referendum.

Progress Scotland Managing Director Angus Robertson

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"Last week UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson declined the request from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon for Holyrood to have the powers over such a vote. Scottish public opinion appears to be on the side of the Scottish Government and Parliament which has voted in favour of such a move.

"Not only is there strong support from SNP and ‘Yes’ voters, but also from a significant minority of Labour and ‘No’ voters”.

SNP deputy Westminster leader Kirsty Blackman MP said: “Decisions about Scotland should be taken by the people who live there, not politicians in Westminster who have no mandate in Scotland.

"The Tories are completely out of step with people in Scotland - it’s clear that people in Scotland want Holyrood to decide on holding a referendum and it cannot be for Boris Johnson to continue to deny that mandate.

“There have already been welcome interventions from some senior Labour members who understand the need to respect Scottish democracy - it’s time the UK government woke up to reality and did the same.

“The SNP won more than 80% of Scotland’s seats at the General Election on a mandate to hold a referendum. Denying Scotland of its right to choose shows just how scared that the Tories are of losing the argument over the Union.”