All three Labour leadership candidates would lose their seats to the SNP if an election were held today according to a poll released by the Nationalists.

The YouGov poll on Scottish Parliamentary constituency voting intentions, commissioned by the SNP, shows the SNP on 44 per cent of the vote, Labour on 25 per cent, the Lib Dems on 14 per cent and the Tories on 13 per cent.

Such a result would see the SNP with 58 constituency seats, a gain of 37 seats, and Labour just eight constituencies, a loss of 29 seats.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:

“This is a sensational poll, which gives the SNP an all-time record lead of nearly twenty points over a Labour Party which is mired in division and disarray. Labour had better hurry up with their leadership election, because on the basis of these figures ALL THREE candidates would lose their seats to the SNP - just as we won Labour's third safest Westminster seat in Scotland in Glasgow East.

“Trust in and support for the SNP Government and our policies are riding high – while Labour are plunged into crisis at both Scottish and UK levels.”

A spokesperson for Scottish Labour attacked the legitimacy of the poll saying:

“Polls commissioned by the Nats about Labour are like an election promise from Alex Salmond – both are made up to suit the SNP.

“Alex Salmond’s powers of prediction are about as accurate as Mystic Meg. In 1999, he said the SNP would win 64 seats. In fact they took 5 – losing one to the Tories. Labour won 55 seats. Voters don’t like politicians telling them how they're going to vote in advance. The SNP should stop spinning and start governing.”