MORE THAN 40 per cent of people are against Westminster blocking a Scottish independence referendum, according to a new nationwide poll.

The Opinium research, published yesterday, revealed that 41 per cent agreed Westminster should not veto the right of the Scottish government to hold a second referendum in the next five years. In Scotland the number rises to 46 per cent. By contrast, only 32 per cent across Britain believe it should.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said earlier this week that the  Labour Party’s national leadership would leave the choice to the Scottish Parliament. Some Scottish Labour figures criticised his comments, saying Labour should do everything in its power to block a second independence referendum.

SNP deputy leader Keith Brown said: “Support for independence will continue to rise in the face of a shambolic Brexit and an incompetent Prime Minister. 

“The Tories can see that — which is what lies behind their utterly undemocratic move to block the people of Scotland having a say on their future.”