Sir Keir Starmer’s administration has already “completely demolished” Labour’s claim that Scotland does not need independence, John Swinney said on Wednesday as he tried to revive the SNP’s push for separation.

The poll emerged after SNP leader John Swinney told a rally to mark the 10th anniversary of the independence referendum that he was in no rush to push for another independence referendum. He said he had “never been more convinced” of the case for independence, citing the “harsh reality of Westminster control”.

The First Minister and SNP leader was speaking at an event marking the 10th anniversary of the independence referendum.

John Swinney has been told to 'get over' losing the independence referendum after making MSPs waste hours debating separation while public services are in crisis.

Scotland's First Minister says the country is closer to independence than it was in 2014. John Swinney has backed Nicola Sturgeon’s prediction that Scottish independence and Irish unification will happen amid a wider shake-up in the UK.