One of the UK’s leading pollsters has warned Brexit has put the union at risk after another survey showed a narrow lead for Scottish independence. Sir John Curtice, of the University of Strathclyde, said the poll by Panelbase putting the yes vote at 52 percent confirmed a trend showing a gradual increase in support for leaving the union after Brexit. The SNP said were delighted with the shift in support and their deputy leader, Keith Brown, claimed the momentum for staging a fresh independence referendum, which has been repeatedly rejected by Boris Johnson, was now unstoppable.

Meanwhile, the UK Government is preparing initiatives to reduce support for independence and counter Nicola Sturgeon’s attacks on the Prime Minister’s tactics as his government negotiates a trade deal with the EU.

As a constitutional stand-off now seems more inevitable than ever, Italian MEP Antonio Maria Rinaldi told Express.co.uk the SNP was just “creating noise”.

He said: “Look, many here firmly believe that Scotland will never take the decision to leave the rest of the UK.

“In my opinion, they are just trying to create noise to raise their bargaining power.

“As in ‘let me scream to get something’ but we all know very well that the Scots’ future is with the UK.

“Also, bare in mind, that the pressure is coming from the same people who for the last three and a half years told us that there were millions of people against Brexit.

“And that if there was a general election, a Remain party would win.

“I would rest easy.”

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Moreover, according to one of Britain’s foremost constitutional experts, Vernon Bogdanor, Mr Johnson could easily rule out Scottish independence forever if he pursues a hard Brexit strategy.

Professor Bogdanor said: “The best time for them to have a referendum would be when Britain’s final relationship with the EU is settled.

“The nature of Scottish independence depends on that.

“For example, if we have a hard Brexit, that makes independence the less plausible option.

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“That means having a hard border between England and Scotland and you know perfectly well the fuss that has been made in Ireland.”

The expert noted: “We talk a lot about leaving the internal market of the EU.

“But what about leaving the internal market of the EU?

“Scotland would be in great difficulties under those circumstances.”

When asked whether he can see Scotland leaving in the next couple of years, Professor Bogdanor answered: “Absolutely not.”

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