JEREMY Hunt has suggested that a second Scottish independence referendum would be a fundamental breach of trust between voters and politicians.

Speaking at a Westminster press gallery lunch, the Foreign Secretary – tipped by many to be Theresa May’s successor in Downing St - described himself as a “very staunch Unionist”.

Asked about Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement about seeking another poll on Scotland’s future before the 2021 Holyrood election, Mr Hunt said: “The genius of our country has been the incredible mixture of talents we get from the people of the four nations of the UK. The reason why what Nicola Sturgeon said is wrong is because one of the things that is most profoundly important about our country is that we are a democracy.

“I remember having a meeting with the Chinese ambassador in the run-up to the Scottish independence referendum and he said to me: ‘Why would you allow them to have a referendum?’

“[I replied]it is because we are a democracy and people have a right to determine their own future but once a decision has been made then that decision has to stand.”

The Secretary of State then said: “The SNP have to accept that Scottish independence referendum and the whole country has to accept that about the Brexit referendum. If we start doing any differently, then we will fundamentally break the trust between people and the people who they elect.”