SUPPORT for Scottish independence is now at 50 per cent - as the SNP are set to make major gains at the General Election.

An Ispos MORI survey for STV found 48 per cent would vote yes, while the same would vote no.

2 The SNP look set to make major gains at next month's election

Excluding the undecided voters gives a 50-50 split.

The results also show support for the SNP for next month's election has surged, with Labour and the Tories suffering.

The survey found 44 per cent of Scots intend to vote SNP, compared to 26 per cent for the Conservatives in second.

Labour are some way off in third with just 16 per cent.

It's good news for nats with the election looming next month, giving them their biggest lead since the start of the campaign.

The results highlight the significant difference in voting intentions in Scotland compared to the rest of the UK.

2 Support for independence has also risen to 50% Credit: Alamy Live News

Tories could be set to lose half of their seats north of the border despite looking set to clinch an overall majority in the UK.

Emily Gray, managing director of Ipsos MORI Scotland, said the pollster's findings were "positive news" for Nicola Sturgeon, but that her party must hope the voters turn up for polling.

She said: "said: "It's positive news for the SNP - it has them on 44% of the vote and we know the Scottish public has a relatively favourable view of Nicola Sturgeon.

"The key issue for the party is, can they get the vote out on polling day. We know, for example, that many young voters like the SNP, so they need young people to turn out in sufficient numbers.

"The last two elections are a good indication: in 2015, when they did turn out, the SNP did very well, but in 2017 when they didn't, the SNP fell back."

Despite the increase in support for independence, the study found that most do not want a referendum to take place next year.

Emily Gray added: "What we are hearing from people is that more of them don't want a referendum next year than do want one."

We told earlier how Scottish Labour has dropped its Falkirk candidate Safia Ali over alleged anti-Semitic posts on Facebook.

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The party immediately suspended Ms Ali once the posts - understood to be from an old Facebook account - came to light.

Scottish Labour said they "deeply regret" her selection.

And a Scottish Conservative candidate has been axed for alleged use of anti-Muslim language.

Flora Scarabello was due to contest the Glasgow Central seat in next month's general election but has now been suspended.

The MP hopeful has had support for her campaign withdrawn by the party after recording of a phone call was passed to them.

Scarabello is alleged to have used anti-Muslim language during the call but the party will not disclose what she is reported to have said.

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