A MAJORITY of voters in Scotland believe it was wrong for the UK Government to launch a legal challenge to legislation passed in Holyrood to improve children’s rights, according to a new poll.

The survey is the latest finding to come from the Panelbase company with earlier results published this week on voters’ views on Douglas Ross’s comments on gypsy travellers and Labour’s policy on a second independence referendum.

Boris Johnson’s ministers announced several weeks ago they would take a challenge to the Supreme Court over a law passed in the Scottish Parliament that incorporates the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into domestic law. Ministers in London say the new legislation – which was passed unanimously in Holyrood just weeks before recess – is outwith Holyrood’s legal competence and encroaches on Westminster’s powers.

According to the poll, some 56% of voters, when undecideds were excluded, say it was wrong of the UK Government to take the legal action, while 44% said it was right.

When all respondents were included, 42% of people thought the move was wrong, while 33% said it was right.

A further question asked in the poll, which was commissioned by the Scot Goes Pop website, related to Brexit, independence and the pandemic.

Voters were asked: “The Conservatives claim that the ongoing pandemic means that it is irresponsible for the Scottish Government to be making plans for an independence referendum.

READ MORE: UK Government launches 'morally repugnant' challenge against Scottish children's legislation

“In response, the Scottish Government say that they do not intend to hold the referendum until the pandemic is over, and point out that the Conservative government at Westminster has already taken Britain out of the EU single market and customs union during the pandemic. In your view, which is more irresponsible?

“a) Taking Britain out of the EU single market and customs union during the pandemic: 39%

“b) Planning for an independence referendum to take place after the pandemic is over: 38%

“c) Neither of these are irresponsible: 24%.”

The poll of 1075 over-16s was carried out between April 21-26.

On backing for independence, it found that 47% of Scots said they would vote Yes if indyref2 were held today, while 48% said they would vote No.

When the 6% of people who are undecided are removed, the results were 49.3% for Yes and 50.7% for No. Rounded up this gives No a two-percentage point lead over Yes, with a 49/51 split.

The Panelbase poll is the sixth conducted this month to give No a lead over Yes.

One poll has found a tie in support for either side, while two have found independence is the majority view.

Two further polls which were conducted from March into April put Yes in the lead.

It found that the projected outcome of next Thursday’s election would see the SNP as the largest party with 61 of the 129 seats at Holyrood, two fewer than at the 2016 election. It suggests Alex Salmond’s Alba Party is on course to win eight seats and the Greens returning 11 MSPs, with a pro-independence majority of 16 seats.

The Scottish Tories would remain the second-largest party, despite being forecast to lose seven of their 31 seats, with Labour down four on 20 seats. The Scottish LibDems would remain on five seats.

Earlier this month Sturgeon called the legal challenge to the Holyrood legislation on children’s rights “morally repugnant”.

Before the legislation was passed, Scottish Secretary Alister Jack wrote to John Swinney to ask for changes. Swinney called the letter “menacing”.