Poll finds a third support Welsh independence if it meant staying in EU

More than a third of people said they would support Welsh independence if it meant staying in the EU, a new poll has shown.

The results of the YouGov poll commissioned by Plaid Cymru follows recent independence rallies in Cardiff, Caernarfon and Merthyr Tydfil.

Plaid Cymru said the figures indicates a "historic high" in support for Welsh independence.

More than a thousand Welsh people were surveyed as part of the poll.

The other 20% either refused to respond or said they did not know if they would vote for Welsh independence or not.

In another question 24% said they would vote for Welsh independence if a referendum was held tomorrow. However more than half said they would not support Welsh independence in this scenario.

Earlier this year, a poll for ITV Wales showed just 12% of people supported the idea.

Plaid Cymru's leader, Adam Price AM, said it is unsurprising that people are supporting Welsh independence because "Westminster is in turmoil".

But some critics argue independence would impact the Welsh economy.

Neil Hamilton, AM for Mid & West Wales and Leader of UKIP Wales said, “Welsh Independence is a dangerous fantasy dreamt up by Plaid. It would only make Wales even poorer. ”

“Plaid shout for an independent Wales but want to surrender our sovereignty to the EU. This flies in the face of the referendum results. Wales voted Leave.”