Support for SNP and Scottish independence drops amid trans row

Nicola Sturgeon warned controversy over gender reform bill and rapist initially held at women’s prison could be her ‘poll tax’

Support for Scottish independence, the SNP and Nicola Sturgeon have all dropped sharply amid criticism over the “fiasco” in the party’s approach to trans rights.

A YouGov poll showed that support for the SNP in Holyrood elections has fallen to its lowest level in five years, while voting intentions for the Westminster elections are their worst since 2019.

The poll showed that Ms Sturgeon’s personal approval rating also slipped into negative territory – from 7 per cent in October to minus 4 per cent.