Thursday 30 June 2022 10:45 AM Blow for Sturgeon as poll finds Scots back staying in the UK trends now

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Nicola Sturgeon suffered a blow today as a poll found Scots still back staying in the UK - and only 40 per cent support her bid to hold another referendum next year.

After the SNP chief demanded a new ballot in 16 months' time, research by Savanta ComRes found 51 per cent want to remain in the union, excluding don't knows.

Some 53 per cent oppose the idea of holding the referendum - branded a 'fantasy' by ministers - while just two-fifths were in favour.  

With Boris Johnson refusing to grant consent, Ms Sturgeon is asking the UK Supreme Court to rule on whether she can go ahead anyway.

But she has conceded that if judges go against her - as most experts expect - she will not trigger a 'wildcat' vote.

Instead she will merely fight the next Westminster election on the single issue of Scotland's place in the UK.