Nicola Sturgeon's popularity plunges to new lows after ex-SNP leader's arrest

Savanta, who conducted the poll, claimed it was the first time Sturgeon found herself in negative territory.

Experts also said it was the first time she was not named as the most popular politician north of the border.

Sturgeon’s net favourability stood at 28 per cent in December 2020.

The survey of 1,018 Scottish adults was conducted last weekend when Sturgeon was arrested as part of Police Scotland’s investigation into SNP finances.

The 52-year-old was later released without charge pending further investigation.

Chris Hopkins, political research director at Savanta, said: “How the mighty have fallen. When Savanta first started polling for The Scotsman, Nicola Sturgeon’s net favourability rating was 28.

"Fast forward two and a half years, and it’s fallen to minus seven, the first time it’s been below zero, and the first time that she hasn’t been the most popular politician in Scotland.

“Although she’s no longer leader, one would expect these numbers to have an impact on the SNP’s polling, but it hasn’t.

"Perhaps, then, the damage has already been done; although this poll sees little change from the last one, Yousaf was leader by that point, and Sturgeon theoretically out of the picture, but by that point the SNP were polling lower than they ever had in Savanta polls."

Former SNP leadership contender Kate Forbes, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and Leader of the Opposition Sir Keir Starmer all have higher net ratings than Sturgeon.

Humza Yousaf, a loyal disciple to Sturgeon who succeeded her at Bute House following her resignation, recorded net favourability of minus 10 per cent.

But the SNP has also taken a hit amongst Scottish voters, with support down to just 38 per cent.

Labour emerged as Scotland’s second-largest party on 34 per cent.

Starmer could return as many as 21 MPs north of the border if the poll was emulated at the next general election.

Despite making inroads in both the Red and Blue Wall, success in Scotland could help the Labour leader forge a clearer path to power.

However, irrespective of Sturgeon’s plummeting popularity and the SNP’s dip in support, Scottish independence continues to divide the nation down the middle.

Unionist support totalled 51 per cent but nationalist voters made up 49 per cent of the decided Scottish electorate.

Commenting on how scandal-stricken Sturgeon has impacted support for independence, Hopkins added: "It always seemed that Sturgeon was so integral to her party and the cause, but Scotland is now so fiercely entrenched by Yes versus No, it goes far beyond one leader, and even one party.

"The independence question remains finely balanced, too close to call were a referendum tomorrow, and therefore there’s still a job to be done for those in the pro-independence camp, with or without Sturgeon as an asset.”