A Conservative-led UK Government could refuse a second independence referendum for up to 40 years, the Scottish Secretary Alister Jack has claimed.
It comes as a new poll showed support for breakaway in Scotland at 54 per cent, the latest in a series of polls indicating majority support.
But Conservative MP Alister Jack said the government's position on a second referendum was "no for a generation".
A Survation poll put support for Yes at 54 per cent and No at 46 per cent when undecideds were removed. It also predicted a majority for the SNP in next year's Scottish Parliament elections, with 54 per cent of the vote.
Meanwhile the poll suggested the Scottish Conservatives would come second with 19 per cent of the constituency vote and 17 per cent in the list vote, with Scottish Labour third at 18 and 19 per cent respectively.
Asked by the BBC if the UK Government would continue to say no to a referendum, Alister Jack said it would be "no for a generation".
When he was asked how long that was, Jack said: “Is it 25 years or is it 40 years? You tell me. But it's certainly not six years, nor 10".
His comments on the BBC were criticised by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who compared him to current US President Donald Trump.
She said on Twitter: “As we’re seeing across the Atlantic just now, politicians who rage against democracy don’t prevail. Let’s not dignify this rubbish. Instead let’s keep making and winning the case for independence. Power doesn’t belong to politicians - it belongs to the people.”
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Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said the poll pointed to a "record" number of MSPs for his party, adding: "It's clear that our constructive approach to opposition is appreciated by the public."
A spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives said: "As we continue to fight a global pandemic, the last thing Scotland needs is the uncertainty and division of another independence referendum."
