Theresa May tells Scotland ‘now is not the time’ for second independence referendum

“I say now is not the time ... all our energies should be being put into the negotiations with the European Union to make sure we get the deal, the right deal for people across the whole of the United Kingdom,” she said.

Her comments come as support for Scottish independence reaches a record high but still remains below 50 per cent, according to a new study.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said a second referendum was needed because of Scotland’s opposition to Brexit, but the study found that rising Euroscepticism in Scotland could undermine her argument.

Two other polls showed similar levels in favour of independence, although the support was broadly similar to previous comparable polls.

The Scottish National Party (SNP) leader on Monday announced she would be seeking authority from the Scottish parliament next week to hold a second referendum on leaving the United Kingdom.

This would ideally take place before Brexit, she said, as Mrs May prepares to start the two-year process of leaving the EU later this month.

The ScotCen long-term social attitudes study found that 46 per cent of Scots now back independence, the highest level since the survey began in 1999.

“Overwhelming support for independence among younger voters might mean there is majority support for independence in future,” it said.

But the survey, conducted between July and December last year, also found rising levels of Euroscepticism, from 40 per cent in 1999 to 67 per cent last year.

“High levels of Euroscepticism in Scotland mean focusing on EU membership may not be the best way to swing voters in favour of ‘Yes’,” it said.

Two other opinion polls by YouGov and Survation, meanwhile found that 43 per cent and 47 per cent of voters respectively would back independence, once the undecideds were excluded.

A YouGov poll in December had put independence support at 44 per cent, while a Survation survey in September also showed a level of 47 per cent.

It came as Queen Elizabeth II gave royal assent to a bill empowering Mrs May to trigger Article 50 of the EU’s Lisbon Treaty and begin the process of leaving the European Union.

The House of Commons speaker John Bercow announced the final go-ahead in the parliamentary chamber, prompting cheers from ruling Conservative Party MPs.

The queen’s signature on the bill allows May to invoke Article 50 any time from now in a process that will take a maximum of two years unless Britain and its EU partners agree to extend the deadline.