The majority of Scots now back an early second independence referendum, according to a new poll.

It revealed that only 48% of Scots now oppose a new vote on whether to stay within the Union in the next few years.

The poll by Panelbase for the Sunday Times shows that that leaves a majority backing the question of independence being put back to Scotland.

More than half of respondents also stated that another referendum should be held while the UK negotiates to leave the EU or after negotiations have come to a close.

The number of Scots who believe independence will never happen has also dropped, while 38% believe it is likely Scotland will have left the UK within the next ten years.

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But the survey of 1,024 voters, conducted this month, shows a slender majority (51%) who would still oppose independence compared with those in favour (49%).

It came as Tory leadership frontrunner Boris Johnson promised to do "anything" in his power to stop the UK breaking up if he becomes prime minister.

The Conservative leadership candidate said the next occupant of 10 Downing Street should be "minister for the union" as well as prime minister.

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Meanwhile, his rival for Number 10, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, confirmed he would be willing to leave the EU without a deal, even though he accepted Nicola Sturgeon would use it to push for Scottish independence.

He had previously said preserving the union was more important than Brexit.

But he said he agreed with David Mundell, the Scottish Secretary, that no deal would pose a major threat to the UK's integrity and "we would have to get through that."

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Earlier this month a YouGov poll showed that a majority of Conservative party members said they would prefer Brexit to go ahead even if it caused Scottish independence.

The 160,000 Conservative party members will begin voting for their new leader next week and Theresa May's successor is expected to be announced on 23 July.