TOP Tory campaign adviser Sir Lynton Crosby has reportedly told Theresa May to call Nicola Sturgeon’s bluff and allow a second independence referendum, but only before Brexit negotiations were completed.

A leaked memo prepared by the Tories’ election supremo shows he told the party to “harness the uncertainty caused by Brexit and use it to secure support for the status quo”.

In the memo, sent to senior figures in Conservative Campaign Headquarters in March just after Sturgeon announced plans to hold a second referendum, Crosby suggested May agree to a referendum before the end of Brexit negotiations.

A later vote would “likely” result in a victory for the Unionist side, he argued.

Nevertheless, Crosby added, “while it may seem sensible to delay a referendum until after Brexit negotiations are complete, this is not necessarily the best strategic position to adopt”.

Two days later May formally rejected Sturgeon’s timetable for a referendum, and suggested that any new vote would have to be held after Brexit was complete.

The First Minister has been taking soundings from cabinet colleagues and activists and will make a statement to MSPs this week explaining her decision on another poll.