Scottish voters agree with Theresa May that now is not the time for a second independence referendum, according to a new poll.

The BMG survey for the Herald found 48 per cent opposed Nicola Sturgeon’s call for another vote in either autumn 2018 or spring 2019, while 43 per cent backed the idea and 9 per cent that they did not know.

Excluding ‘don’t knows’ the results were 47- 53 against.

Similarly, 49 per cent rejected the idea of another poll before 2021, 42 per cent supported the idea and 8 per cent said they were unsure, a tally of 54-46 against with ‘don’t knows’ excluded.

The First Minister has said that Scots should be allowed to vote on the future of their country when the terms of the UK's EU exit become clear before Brexit day in March 2019.

But the Prime Minister has rejected calls for another vote before then.

Dr Michael Turner, head of polling at BMG Research, said that the findings also showed that just 21 per cent of Scots who voted to leave the EU are in favour of another referendum, compared to 46 per cent of those who voted to remain.

He added: "It is only among those with a poor track record of voting, those who didn't vote at last year’s EU referendum for instance, where there is a majority in favour (56 per cent )."

The SNP said that there was evidence most Scots thought the Prime Minister was wrong to oppose a referendum.

An SNP spokesman said: “We already know that 60 per cent of people think Theresa May and the Tories are wrong to try and block Scotland having a choice on its future – and most recent polls show support for independence on a knife-edge.”

Pro-Union parties said that the poll showed Scots did not want another vote.

Scottish Conservative constitution spokesman Adam Tomkins said: “There is no appetite in Scotland for independence and, as this poll shows, there’s certainly no appetite for another vote on it.

“These results should send a very clear message to Nicola Sturgeon.

“Take the threat of another referendum off the table."

Scottish Labour general election campaign manager James Kelly said: "This is yet another poll that shows people in Scotland do not want another divisive independence referendum.”

Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton said: “Scotland has had enough of independence and wants this Scottish Government to get on with the day job.”

BMG Research polled 1,041 Scot between April 7 and 11.

Meanwhile, the latest Kantar Scottish Opinion Monitor, suggests that just a quarter of Scots want a second referendum autumn 2018 and spring 2019.

Just 26 per cent of those questioned backed that timetable while 46 per cent said there should not be another vote on leaving the UK at all.

The poll also found a "weakening" in support for independence, with 60 per cent backing staying in the UK while 40 per cent want Scotland to leave, when undecided voters were excluded.

A BMG poll for the Herald earlier this week found support for independence at 49 per cent, with 51 per cent opposed, once ‘don’t knows’ were excluded.

Kantar asked 1,060 Scots between March 29 and April 11.