Published: 4:12 PM December 23, 2017 Updated: 6:21 PM September 17, 2020

Almost half of Scots would back an independent Scotland that remained in the European Union, if a second referendum was held in early 2019, a new poll suggests.

The Panelbase research conducted for pro-independence blog Wings over Scotland found that 49% would vote for an independent Scotland in the EU if a second referendum on the issue was held in March 2019, around the time the UK is scheduled to leave the bloc.

Excluding those who gave no opinion, 51% said they would opt for Scotland to stay in the union and leave the EU.

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The poll of 1,022 adults found support for the independence option was highest in the 16-34 age category at 66%, compared to 34% who would favour staying the in UK and leaving the EU.

Of those who voted Remain in last year's EU referendum, 68% said they would support independence while 32% would back the union, while a large majority (79%) of those who voted Leave backed staying in the UK with just 21% supporting independence.

An SNP spokesman said: 'This is an arrogant Tory government that thinks it can do what it wants to Scotland and get away with it. But people across Scotland see the folly of being dragged out of the world's biggest single market - which is around eight times bigger than the UK's alone - against our democratic will.'

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