Scotts Poll: Stay in EU, Leave UK

LONDON (AP) -- A poll suggests that Scotland would seek independence from the United Kingdom if the country as a whole votes to leave the European Union.

The Scotland on Sunday-commissioned poll found that Scottish voters are more enthusiastic than their English neighbors about staying inside the 28-nation bloc, with 50 percent planning to vote "yes" to Europe in the June 23 U.K.-wide referendum, 35 percent "no," the rest unsure. That contrasts with several U.K.-wide polls this month that put pro- and anti-EU camps in a virtual tie.

When asked whether they would support Scottish independence in event of a British rejection of EU membership, 49 percent said they would and 43 percent wouldn't.

The survey of 1,000 registered voters across Scotland questioned last week by pollsters ICM had a three-point error margin.

(KA)