Support for Scottish independence has dropped to 40 per cent, according to a new poll that further undermines Nicola Sturgeon's demand for another referendum.

The research in the Kantar Scottish Opinion Monitor also said there appeared to be a "weakening" in support for independence, with 60 per cent backing staying in the UK.

The figure puts support for independence below the 45 per cent that was recorded in the independence referendum in September 2014.

Only a quarter of Scots supported Nicola Sturgeon's call for a second independence referendum to be held between autumn 2018 and spring 2019.

Just 26 per cent of those questioned backed that timetable while 46 per cent stated there should not be another vote on leaving the UK at all.

The poll was published as Nicola Sturgeon insisted the general election has nothing to do with her demand for a second referendum. Her claim came after two polls at the weekend showed the Scottish Tories taking up to 12 seats, including 10 from her party.