Sky News presenter Sophy Ridge quizzed Ian Blackford on another Scottish independence referendum, citing opinion polls that fail to reach the “50 percent barrier”. The SNP Westminster leader argued support for an independence referendum would “increase dramatically” in a no deal scenario, in response to claims polls show “not exactly a decisive surge” in support. Speaking on Sky News, Ms Ridge asked: “You know of course that Nicola Sturgeon is talking later about the reasons for another independence referendum. You mentioned a little bit earlier in the interview some of the polling, which has shown slight increase in support for another referendum. But at the same time it’s not exactly a decisive surge.

“The YouGov/Times poll for example, support for Scotland leaving up to 49 percent. It’s still not up to that 50 percent barrier is it?”

Mr Blackford responded: “Well the fact is we have spent the last three years trying to see if we can get a compromise on Brexit.

“We have talked about there not being such a thing as a good Brexit, we think all of the United Kingdom should stay in the European Union.

“But at the very least we should have stayed in the single market and the customs union because that would have given the best protection for jobs. So that’s been the focus. Over the course of the last few years we have not been talking about independence.

We have spent the last three years trying to see if we can get a compromise on Brexit

Ian Blackford

“What we have signalled this week is that we’re making that termination that independence is the best option for the people of Scotland and we’re going to be going out on the doorstep in the next few weeks and months, and we will be presenting that case.

“The vision that we have of a prosperous, independent Scotland, a socially just Scotland, and that starting position is one where support for independence is virtually neck and neck with the status quo.

“If I may say so Sophy, there is a poll out this morning in the Sunday Times that shows very clearly, in the light of a no deal scenario then support for independence would increase quite dramatically.”

The comments follow Ms Sturgeon renewing calls for a second independence referendum for Scotland.

In a fiery attack on Whitehall on Wednesday, the SNP leader stated the “status quo is broken” and called on the Scottish people to be able to decide their own future relationship with Europe.

In a statement to MSPs, she said: “A choice between Brexit and a future for Scotland as an independent European nation should be offered in the lifetime of this Parliament.

“I can confirm that the Scottish Government will act to ensure that the option of giving people a choice on independence later in this term of Parliament is progressed.”

Responding to Ms Sturgeon’s comments, Prime Minister Theresa May’s official spokesman said: “As we have been repeatedly clear, Scotland has already had an independence referendum in 2014 and voted decisively to remain in the United Kingdom. This should be respected.

“Our position hasn’t changed. Both sides agreed to respect the result of the 2014 referendum. That is what needs to happen.”

The spokesman pointed out that the 2014 vote was described by parties on both sides as a “once-in-a-generation referendum”.

He said that all Scottish parties had signed up in 2015 to the recommendations of the independent Smith Commission, which said the power to hold independence votes should continue to be reserved to the UK Government and that the approval of administrations in both London and Edinburgh should be required for any future referendum.

The First Minister resisted calls from the SNP to call an earlier referendum and said if a vote happened before the Brexit path was determined it would not allow for an “informed decision” to be made.

However, the SNP leader warned Whitehall that Scotland “cannot wait indefinitely”.

The First Minister added: “Throughout this, the Scottish Government have worked tirelessly to help find the best way forward for all of the UK.

“Whatever Scotland’s constitutional status in the future, it will always be in our interests for these islands to have the closest possible relationship with the EU.

“We have done everything possible to help avert the Brexit crisis for the whole UK. And we will continue to do so.”

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