Brexit has already caused "substantial damage" to the UK's system of devolution, with Westminster accused of having "largely ignored" both Scotland and Northern Ireland.

A new research paper has examined the impact of Brexit on the two nations of the United Kingdom which voted to remain in the European Union in the 2016 referendum.

Experts Dr Kirsty Hughes and Dr Katy Hayward said the Brexit process had "deepened political divisions" in both Scotland and Northern Ireland.

They warned these tensions could be "further exacerbated" if Britain fails to reach a deal with the other European nations over its departure.

The paper highlighted a "striking similarity" between Scotland and Northern Ireland, saying in both nations "political parties' stances on Brexit have deepened existing divisions".

In Northern Ireland, Sinn Fein supports unification and opposes Brexit while the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) supports the Union with the UK and Brexit.

Meanwhile in Scotland, the Conservative and Labour parties - albeit not all Labour politicians - support Brexit and staying in the UK while the SNP opposes Brexit and seeks independence.

Dr Hughes and Dr Hayward said throughout the Brexit process the Conservative government had chosen "emphasis on the unitary and centralised nature of UK politics" - highlighting Westminster's insistence that some powers returning from Brussels return to it rather than the devolved administrations as an example of this.

About a third of Scots backed leaving the EU but approximately half of this group favour the country being independent.