More than 40% of Scots say Nicola Sturgeon should quit NOW with a majority fearing her gender identity law would pose a danger to women

• Panelbase poll lays bare damage to Nicola Sturgeon from the gender ID row 

More than four in 10 Scots say Nicola Sturgeon should resign immediately amid the storm over her gender identity rules overhaul.

A Panelbase poll shows that 42 per cent want the SNP leader to stand down now, compared to 45 per cent who thought she should stay on until the next Holyrood election. Some 13 per cent were not sure.

Meanwhile, 76 per cent of those who expressed a view feared the First Minister’s gender law – which has been blocked by Westminster – would pose a safety risk in women-only spaces. Under a quarter were not concerned, excluding the 21 per cent of ‘don’t knows’.

The research for the Sunday Times underlines the damage the issue has caused to Ms Sturgeon and the SNP. 

A Panelbase poll shows that 42 per cent want the SNP leader to stand down now, compared to 45 per cent who thought she should stay on until the next Holyrood election. Some 13 per cent were not sure

Ms Sturgeon struggled at a press conference last week as she was repeatedly challenged on whether she regards trans rapist Isla Bryson as a woman. 

Bryson was initially send to a women’s prison before being transferred to the male estate following an outcry. 

The First Minister is continuing to defend the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill passed by MSPs in December, despite growing disquiet in her own ranks.

The shake-up would reduce the age limit for formally changing gender to 16, and remove the need for a medical diagnosis.

Ms Sturgeon has said she still intends to challenge the UK Government’s use of Section 35 to block the law.

The poll found that 15 per cent of those who voted SNP at the last Westminster election wanted Ms Sturgeon to resign immediately.

That view was shared by 19 per cent of those who backed independence at the last referendum in 2014.

However, 76 per cent of SNP voters and 72 per cent of Yes supporters said they wanted her to remain.

:: Panelbase surveyed 1,415 voters in Scotland over the past week. The results were weighted to represent the wider population. 

Ms Sturgeon struggled at a press conference last week as she was repeatedly challenged on whether she regards trans rapist Isla Bryson (pictured) as a woman 

Ms Sturgeon is continuing to defend the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill passed by MSPs in December, despite growing disquiet in her own ranks 

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